Pyrazole-substituted arylamides as p2x3 and p2x2/3 antagonists

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, R 1  is optionally substituted pyrazolyl, and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7  and R 8  are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using the compounds for treating diseases associated with P2X 3  and/or a P2X 2/3  receptor antagonists and methods of making the compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/007,960, filed Dec. 17, 2007 which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to compounds useful for treatment of diseasesassociated with P2X purinergic receptors, and more particularly to P2X₃and/or P2X₂₃ antagonists usable for treatment of genitourinary, pain,inflammatory, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, conditions anddisorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The urinary bladder is responsible for two important physiologicalfunctions: urine storage and urine emptying. This process involves twomain steps: (1) the bladder fills progressively until the tension in itswalls rises above a threshold level; and (2) a nervous reflex, calledthe micturition reflex, occurs that empties the bladder or, if thisfails, at least causes a conscious desire to urinate. Although themicturition reflex is an autonomic spinal cord reflex, it can also beinhibited or mediated by centers in the cerebral cortex or brain.

Purines, acting via extracellular purinoreceptors, have been implicatedas having a variety of physiological and pathological roles. (See,Burnstock (1993) Drug Dev. Res. 28:195-206.) ATP, and to a lesserextent, adenosine, can stimulate sensory nerve endings resulting inintense pain and a pronounced increase in sensory nerve discharge. ATPreceptors have been classified into two major families, the P2Y- andP2X-purinoreceptors, on the basis of molecular structure, transductionmechanisms, and pharmacological characterization. TheP2Y-purinoreceptors are G-protein coupled receptors, while theP2X-purinoreceptors are a family of ATP-gated cation channels.Purinergic receptors, in particular, P2X receptors, are known to formhomomultimers or heteromultimers. To date, cDNAs for several P2Xreceptors subtypes have been cloned, including: six homomeric receptors,P2X₁; P2X₂; P2X₃; P2X₄; P2X₅; and P2X₇; and three heteromeric receptorsP2X_(2/3), P2X_(4/6), P2X_(1/5) (See, e.g., Chen, et al. (1995) Nature377:428-431; Lewis, et al. (1995) Nature 377:432-435; and Burnstock(1997) Neurophamacol. 36:1127-1139). The structure and chromosomalmapping of mouse genomic P2X₃ receptor subunit has also been described(Souslova, et al. (1997) Gene 195:101-111). In vitro, co-expression ofP2X₂ and P2X₃ receptor subunits is necessary to produce ATP-gatedcurrents with the properties seen in some sensory neurons (Lewis, et al.(1995) Nature 377:432-435).

P2X receptor subunits are found on afferents in rodent and human bladderurothelium. Data exists suggesting that ATP may be released fromepithelial/endothelial cells of the urinary bladder or other holloworgans as a result of distention (Burnstock (1999) J. Anatomy194:335-342; and Ferguson et al. (1997) J. Physiol. 505:503-511). ATPreleased in this manner may serve a role in conveying information tosensory neurons located in subepithelial components, e.g., suburotheliallamina propria (Namasivayam, et al. (1999) BJU Intl. 84:854-860). TheP2X receptors have been studied in a number of neurons, includingsensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic, mesenteric, and central neurons(Zhong, et al. (1998) Br. J. Pharmacol. 125:771-781). These studiesindicate that purinergic receptors play a role in afferentneurotransmission from the bladder, and that modulators of P2X receptorsare potentially useful in the treatment of bladder disorders and othergenitourinary diseases or conditions.

Recent evidence also suggests a role of endogenous ATP and purinergicreceptors in nociceptive responses in mice (Tsuda, et al. (1999) Br. J.Pharmacol. 128:1497-1504). ATP-induced activation of P2X receptors ondorsal root ganglion nerve terminals in the spinal cord has been shownto stimulate release of glutamate, a key neurotransmitter involved innociceptive signaling (Gu and MacDermott, Nature 389:749-753 (1997)).P2X₃ receptors have been identified on nociceptive neurons in the toothpulp (Cook et al., Nature 387:505-508 (1997)). ATP released from damagedcells may thus lead to pain by activating P2X₃ and/or P2X_(2/3)containing receptors on nociceptive sensory nerve endings. This isconsistent with the induction of pain by intradermally applied ATP inthe human blister-base model (Bleehen, Br J Pharmacol 62:573-577(1978)). P2X antagonists have been shown to be analgesic in animalmodels (Driessen and Starke, Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol350:618-625 (1994)). This evidence suggests that P2X₂ and P2X₃ areinvolved in nociception, and that modulators of P2X receptors arepotentially useful as analgesics.

Other researchers have shown that P2X₃ receptors are expressed in humancolon, and are expressed at higher levels in inflamed colon than innormal colon (Y. Yiangou et al, Neurogastroenterol Mot (2001)13:365-69). Other researchers have implicated the P2X₃ receptor indetection of distension or intraluminal pressure in the intestine, andinitiation of reflex contractions (X. Bian et al., J Physiol (2003)551.1:309-22), and have linked this to colitis (G. Wynn et al., Am JPhysiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol (2004) 287:G647-57).

Inge Brouns et al. (Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol (2000) 23:52-61) foundthat P2X₃ receptors are expressed in pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies(NEBs), implicating the receptor in pain transmission in the lung. Morerecently, others have implicated P2X₂ and P2X₃ receptors in pO₂detection in pulmonary NEBs (W. Rong et al., J Neurosci (2003) 23(36):11315-21).

There is accordingly a need for compounds that act as modulators of P2Xreceptors, including antagonists of P2X₃ and P2X_(2/3) receptors, aswell as a need for methods of treating diseases, conditions anddisorders mediated by P2X₃ and/or P2X_(2/3) receptors. The presentinvention satisfies these needs as well as others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides compounds of the formula I:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,wherein:

R¹ is optionally substituted pyrazolyl;

R² is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridinyl,optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted pyridazinylor optionally substituted thiophenyl;

R³ is:

-   -   hydrogen;    -   C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; or    -   cyano;

R⁴ is:

-   -   hydrogen;    -   C₁₋₆alkyl; or    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;

or R³ and R⁴ together with the atom to which they are attached may forma C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring;

R⁵ is:

-   -   C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   halo-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   N—C₁₋₆alkylamino;    -   N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino;    -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;    -   aryl;    -   heteroaryl;    -   heterocyclyl;    -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   —(CR^(a)R^(b))_(m)—C(O)—R⁸ wherein:        -   m is 0 or 1;        -   R^(a) and R^(b) each independently is:            -   hydrogen; or            -   C₁₋₆alkyl; and        -   R⁸ is:            -   hydrogen;            -   C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;            -   aryl;            -   heteroaryl;            -   heterocyclyl;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy;            -   aryloxy;            -   heteroaryloxy;            -   heterocyclyloxy;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heteroaryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heterocyclyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; or            -   —NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein:                -   R⁹ is:                -    hydrogen; or                -    C₁₋₆alkyl; and                -   R¹⁰ is:                -    hydrogen;                -    C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;                -    aryl;                -    heteroaryl;                -    heterocyclyl;                -    C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl; or                -    heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached may forma C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring that is optionally substituted with hydroxy;

or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached may forma C₄₋₆ heterocyclic ring containing one or two heteroatoms eachindependently selected from O, N and S;

or R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached mayform a six-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms, andwhich is optionally substituted with halo, amino or C₁₋₆alkyl; and

R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently is:

-   -   hydrogen    -   C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    -   halo;    -   C₁₋₆haloalkyl; or    -   cyano.

The invention also provides and pharmaceutical compositions comprisingthe compounds, methods of using the compounds, and methods of preparingthe compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless otherwise stated, the following terms used in this application,including the specification and claims, have the definitions givenbelow. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Agonist” refers to a compound that enhances the activity of anothercompound or receptor site.

“Alkyl” means the monovalent linear or branched saturated hydrocarbonmoiety, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from oneto twelve carbon atoms.

“Lower alkyl” refers to an alkyl group of one to six carbon atoms, i.e.C₁-C₆alkyl. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to,methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,pentyl, n-hexyl, octyl, dodecyl, and the like.

“Alkenyl” means a linear monovalent hydrocarbon radical of two to sixcarbon atoms or a branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of three tosix carbon atoms, containing at least one double bond, e.g., ethenyl,propenyl, and the like.

“Alkynyl” means a linear monovalent hydrocarbon radical of two to sixcarbon atoms or a branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of three tosix carbon atoms, containing at least one triple bond, e.g., ethynyl,propynyl, and the like.

“Alkylene” means a linear saturated divalent hydrocarbon radical of oneto six carbon atoms or a branched saturated divalent hydrocarbon radicalof three to six carbon atoms, e.g., methylene, ethylene,2,2-dimethylethylene, propylene, 2-methylpropylene, butylene, pentylene,and the like.

“Alkoxy” and “alkyloxy”, which may be used interchangeably, mean amoiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is an alkyl moiety as definedherein. Examples of alkoxy moieties include, but are not limited to,methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, and the like.

“Alkoxyalkyl” means a moiety of the formula R^(a)—O—R^(b)—, where R^(a)is alkyl and R^(b) is alkylene as defined herein. Exemplary alkoxyalkylgroups include, by way of example, 2-methoxyethyl, 3-methoxypropyl,1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl, 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methoxypropyl, and1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methoxypropyl.

“Alkylcarbonyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is oxoand R″ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is —SO₂—and R″ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonylalkyl means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″—R′″ where R′ isalkylene, R″ is —SO₂— and R′″ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylamino means a moiety of the formula —NR—R′ wherein R is hydrogenor alkyl and R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkoxyamino” means a moiety of the formula —NR—OR′ wherein R ishydrogen or alkyl and R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfanyl” means a moiety of the formula —SR wherein R is alkyl asdefined herein.

“Aminoalkyl” means a group —R—R′ wherein R′ is amino and R is alkyleneas defined herein. “Aminoalkyl” includes aminomethyl, aminoethyl,1-aminopropyl, 2-aminopropyl, and the like. The amino moiety of“aminoalkyl” may be substituted once or twice with alkyl to provide“alkylaminoalkyl” and “dialkylaminoalkyl” respectively.“Alkylaminoalkyl” includes methylaminomethyl, methylaminoethyl,methylaminopropyl, ethylaminoethyl and the like. “Dialkylaminoalkyl”includes dimethylaminomethyl, dimethylaminoethyl, dimethylaminopropyl,N-methyl-N-ethylaminoethyl, and the like.

“Aminoalkoxy” means a group —OR—R′ wherein R′ is amino and R is alkyleneas defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonylamido” means a moiety of the formula —NR′SO₂—R wherein Ris alkyl and R′ is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Aminocarbonyloxyalkyl” or “carbamylalkyl” means a group of the formula—R—O—C(O)—NR′R″ wherein R is alkylene and R′, R″ each independently ishydrogen or alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkynylalkoxy” means a group of the formula —O—R—R′ wherein R isalkylene and R′ is alkynyl as defined herein.

“Antagonist” refers to a compound that diminishes or prevents the actionof another compound or receptor site.

“Aryl” means a monovalent cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon moiety consistingof a mono-, bi- or tricyclic aromatic ring. The aryl group can beoptionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of aryl moietiesinclude, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl,fluorenyl, indenyl, pentalenyl, azulenyl, oxydiphenyl, biphenyl,methylenediphenyl, aminodiphenyl, diphenylsulfidyl, diphenylsulfonyl,diphenylisopropylidenyl, benzodioxanyl, benzofuranyl, benzodioxylyl,benzopyranyl, benzoxazinyl, benzoxazinonyl, benzopiperadinyl,benzopiperazinyl, benzopyrrolidinyl, benzomorpholinyl,methylenedioxyphenyl, ethylenedioxyphenyl, and the like, includingpartially hydrogenated derivatives thereof, each being optionallysubstituted.

“Arylalkyl” and “Aralkyl”, which may be used interchangeably, mean aradical-R^(a)R^(b) where R^(a) is an alkylene group and R^(b) is an arylgroup as defined herein; e.g., phenylalkyls such as benzyl, phenylethyl,3-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpentyl, and the like are examples ofarylalkyl.

“Arylsulfonyl means a group of the formula —SO₂—R wherein R is aryl asdefined herein.

“Aryloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R wherein R is aryl as definedherein.

“Aralkyloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R—R″ wherein R is alkyleneand R′ is aryl as defined herein.

“Cyanoalkyl”” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is alkyleneas defined herein and R″ is cyano or nitrile.

“Cycloalkyl” means a monovalent saturated carbocyclic moiety consistingof mono- or bicyclic rings. Cycloalkyl can optionally be substitutedwith one or more substituents, wherein each substituent is independentlyhydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, monoalkylamino, ordialkylamino, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Examples ofcycloalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like,including partially unsaturated derivatives thereof.

“Cycloalkylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ isalkylene and R″ is cycloalkyl as defined herein.

“Heteroalkyl” means an alkyl radical as defined herein wherein one, twoor three hydrogen atoms have been replaced with a substituentindependently selected from the group consisting of —OR^(a),—NR^(b)R^(c), and —S(O)_(n)R^(d) (where n is an integer from 0 to 2),with the understanding that the point of attachment of the heteroalkylradical is through a carbon atom,

wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl;R^(b) and R^(c) are independently of each other hydrogen, acyl, alkyl,cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; and when n is 0, R^(d) is hydrogen,alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl, and when n is 1 or 2, R^(d) isalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, amino, acylamino, monoalkylamino, ordialkylamino. Representative examples include, but are not limited to,2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethyl,2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxymethylethyl, 3-hydroxybutyl,2,3-dihydroxybutyl, 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl, 2-aminoethyl,3-aminopropyl, 2-methylsulfonylethyl, aminosulfonylmethyl,aminosulfonylethyl, aminosulfonylpropyl, methylaminosulfonylmethyl,methylaminosulfonylethyl, methylaminosulfonylpropyl, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic radical of 5 to 12 ringatoms having at least one aromatic ring containing one, two, or threering heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, the remaining ring atomsbeing C, with the understanding that the attachment point of theheteroaryl radical will be on an aromatic ring. The heteroaryl ring maybe optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of heteroarylmoieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substitutedimidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl,thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, thiophenyl, furanyl,pyranyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidyl, quinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzothiopyranyl,benzimidazolyl, benzooxazolyl, benzooxadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl,benzothiadiazolyl, benzopyranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, triazolyl,triazinyl, quinoxalinyl, purinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolizinyl,naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, azepinyl, diazepinyl, acridinyland the like, including partially hydrogenated derivatives thereof, eachoptionally substituted.

“Heteroarylalkyl” or “heteroaralkyl” means a group of the formula —R—R′wherein R is alkylene and R′ is heteroaryl as defined herein.

“Heteroarylsulfonyl means a group of the formula —SO₂—R wherein R isheteroaryl as defined herein.

“Heteroaryloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R wherein R isheteroaryl as defined herein.

“Heteroaralkyloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R—R″ wherein R isalkylene and R′ is heteroaryl as defined herein.

The terms “halo”, “halogen” and “halide”, which may be usedinterchangeably, refer to a substituent fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

“Haloalkyl” means alkyl as defined herein in which one or more hydrogenhas been replaced with same or different halogen. Exemplary haloalkylsinclude —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CF₃, —CH₂CCl₃, perfluoroalkyl (e.g., —CF₃), and thelike.

“Haloalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is a haloalkylmoiety as defined herein. An exemplary haloalkoxy is difluoromethoxy.

“Heterocycloamino” means a saturated ring wherein at least one ring atomis N, NH or N-alkyl and the remaining ring atoms form an alkylene group.

“Heterocyclyl” means a monovalent saturated moiety, consisting of one tothree rings, incorporating one, two, or three or four heteroatoms(chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur). The heterocyclyl ring may beoptionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of heterocyclylmoieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substitutedpiperidinyl, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, azepinyl, pyrrolidinyl,pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl,pyrimidinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl,isothiazolidinyl, quinuclidinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,benzimidazolyl, thiadiazolylidinyl, benzothiazolidinyl,benzoazolylidinyl, dihydrofuryl, tetrahydrofuryl, dihydropyranyl,tetrahydropyranyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinylsulfoxide,thiamorpholinylsulfone, dihydroquinolinyl, dihydrisoquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydrisoquinolinyl, and the like.

“Heterocyclylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R—R′ wherein R isalkylene and R′ is heterocyclyl as defined herein.

“Heterocyclyloxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR wherein R isheterocyclyl as defined herein.

“Heterocyclylalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR—R′ wherein R isalkylene and R′ is heterocyclyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR wherein R ishydroxyalkyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkylamino” means a moiety of the formula —NR—R′ wherein R ishydrogen or alkyl and R′ is hydroxyalkyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkylaminoalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R—NR′—R″ whereinR is alkylene, R′ is hydrogen or alkyl, and R″ is hydroxyalkyl asdefined herein.

“Hydroxycarbonylalkyl” or “carboxyalkyl” means a group of the formula—R—(CO)—OH where R is alkylene as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkyloxycarbonylalkyl” or “hydroxyalkoxycarbonylalkyl” means agroup of the formula —R—C(O)—O—R—OH wherein each R is alkylene and maybe the same or different.

“Hydroxyalkyl” means an alkyl moiety as defined herein, substituted withone or more, preferably one, two or three hydroxy groups, provided thatthe same carbon atom does not carry more than one hydroxy group.Representative examples include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl,2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl,1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropyl, 2-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl,4-hydroxybutyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethyl,2,3-dihydroxybutyl, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl and2-(hydroxymethyl)-3-hydroxypropyl

“Hydroxycycloalkyl” means a cycloalkyl moiety as defined herein whereinone, two or three hydrogen atoms in the cycloalkyl radical have beenreplaced with a hydroxy substituent. Representative examples include,but are not limited to, 2-, 3-, or 4-hydroxycyclohexyl, and the like.

“Urea” or “ureido” means a group of the formula —NR′—C(O)—NR″R′″ whereinR′, R″ and R′″ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Carbamate” means a group of the formula —O—C(O)—NR′R″ wherein R′ and R″each independently is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Carboxy” means a group of the formula —O—C(O)—OH.

“Sulfonamido” means a group of the formula —SO₂—NR′R″ wherein R′, R″ andR′″ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Optionally substituted”, when used in association with “aryl”, phenyl”,“heteroaryl” “cycloalkyl” or “heterocyclyl”, means an aryl, phenyl,heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl which is optionally substitutedindependently with one to four substituents, preferably one or twosubstituents selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,heteroalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino,acylamino, mono-alkylamino, di-alkylamino, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy,heteroalkyl, —COR, —SO₂R (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl orphenylalkyl), —(CR′R″)_(n)—COOR (where n is an integer from 0 to 5, R′and R″ are independently hydrogen or alkyl, and R is hydrogen, alkyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl), or —(CR′R″),—CONR^(a)R^(b) (where n is an integer from 0 to 5, R′ and R″ areindependently hydrogen or alkyl, and R^(a) and R^(b) are, independentlyof each other, hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, phenyl orphenylalkyl). Certain preferred optional substituents for “aryl”,phenyl”, “heteroaryl” “cycloalkyl” or “heterocyclyl” include alkyl,halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, cyano, amino and alkylsulfonyl. More preferredsubstituents are methyl, fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, aminoand methanesulfonyl.

“Leaving group” means the group with the meaning conventionallyassociated with it in synthetic organic chemistry, i.e., an atom orgroup displaceable under substitution reaction conditions. Examples ofleaving groups include, but are not limited to, halogen, alkane- orarylenesulfonyloxy, such as methanesulfonyloxy, ethanesulfonyloxy,thiomethyl, benzenesulfonyloxy, tosyloxy, and thienyloxy,dihalophosphinoyloxy, optionally substituted benzyloxy, isopropyloxy,acyloxy, and the like.

“Modulator” means a molecule that interacts with a target. Theinteractions include, but are not limited to, agonist, antagonist, andthe like, as defined herein.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may but need not occur, and that the descriptionincludes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instancesin which it does not.

“Disease” and “Disease state” means any disease, condition, symptom,disorder or indication.

“Inert organic solvent” or “inert solvent” means the solvent is inertunder the conditions of the reaction being described in conjunctiontherewith, including for example, benzene, toluene, acetonitrile,tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, chloroform, methylene chlorideor dichloromethane, dichloroethane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate,acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,tert-butanol, dioxane, pyridine, and the like. Unless specified to thecontrary, the solvents used in the reactions of the present inventionare inert solvents.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable” means that which is useful in preparing apharmaceutical composition that is generally safe, non-toxic, andneither biologically nor otherwise undesirable and includes that whichis acceptable for veterinary as well as human pharmaceutical use.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” of a compound means salts that arepharmaceutically acceptable, as defined herein, and that possess thedesired pharmacological activity of the parent compound. Such saltsinclude:

acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloricacid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, andthe like; or formed with organic acids such as acetic acid,benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic, camphorsulfonic acid, citric acid,ethanesulfonic acid, fumaric acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid,glutamic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxynaphtoic acid,2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid,malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, muconic acid,2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, succinicacid, tartaric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trimethylacetic acid, andthe like; or

salts formed when an acidic proton present in the parent compound eitheris replaced by a metal ion, e.g., an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earthion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with an organic or inorganicbase. Acceptable organic bases include diethanolamine, ethanolamine,N-methylglucamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, and the like.Acceptable inorganic bases include aluminum hydroxide, calciumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

The preferred pharmaceutically acceptable salts are the salts formedfrom acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, methanesulfonicacid, maleic acid, phosphoric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, sodium,potassium, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.

It should be understood that all references to pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts include solvent addition forms (solvates) or crystalforms (polymorphs) as defined herein, of the same acid addition salt.

“Protective group” or “protecting group” means the group whichselectively blocks one reactive site in a multifunctional compound suchthat a chemical reaction can be carried out selectively at anotherunprotected reactive site in the meaning conventionally associated withit in synthetic chemistry. Certain processes of this invention rely uponthe protective groups to block reactive nitrogen and/or oxygen atomspresent in the reactants. For example, the terms “amino-protectinggroup” and “nitrogen protecting group” are used interchangeably hereinand refer to those organic groups intended to protect the nitrogen atomagainst undesirable reactions during synthetic procedures. Exemplarynitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limited to,trifluoroacetyl, acetamido, benzyl (Bn), benzyloxycarbonyl(carbobenzyloxy, CBZ), p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl,p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), and the like. Theartisan in the art will know how to chose a group for the ease ofremoval and for the ability to withstand the following reactions.

“Solvates” means solvent additions forms that contain eitherstoichiometric or non stoichiometric amounts of solvent. Some compoundshave a tendency to trap a fixed molar ratio of solvent molecules in thecrystalline solid state, thus forming a solvate. If the solvent is waterthe solvate formed is a hydrate, when the solvent is alcohol, thesolvate formed is an alcoholate. Hydrates are formed by the combinationof one or more molecules of water with one of the substances in whichthe water retains its molecular state as H₂O, such combination beingable to form one or more hydrate.

“Subject” means mammals and non-mammals. Mammals means any member of themammalia class including, but not limited to, humans; non-human primatessuch as chimpanzees and other apes and monkey species; farm animals suchas cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and swine; domestic animals such asrabbits, dogs, and cats; laboratory animals including rodents, such asrats, mice, and guinea pigs; and the like. Examples of non-mammalsinclude, but are not limited to, birds, and the like. The term “subject”does not denote a particular age or sex.

“Disorders of the urinary tract” or “uropathy” used interchangeably with“symptoms of the urinary tract” means the pathologic changes in theurinary tract. Examples of urinary tract disorders include, but are notlimited to, incontinence, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH),prostatitis, detrusor hyperreflexia, outlet obstruction, urinaryfrequency, nocturia, urinary urgency, overactive bladder, pelvichypersensitivity, urge incontinence, urethritis, prostatodynia,cystitis, idiophatic bladder hypersensitivity, and the like.

“Disease states associated with the urinary tract” or “urinary tractdisease states” or “uropathy” used interchangeably with “symptoms of theurinary tract” mean the pathologic changes in the urinary tract, ordysfunction of urinary bladder smooth muscle or its innervation causingdisordered urinary storage or voiding. Symptoms of the urinary tractinclude, but are not limited to, overactive bladder (also known asdetrusor hyperactivity), outlet obstruction, outlet insufficiency, andpelvic hypersensitivity.

“Overactive bladder” or “detrusor hyperactivity” includes, but is notlimited to, the changes symptomatically manifested as urgency,frequency, altered bladder capacity, incontinence, micturitionthreshold, unstable bladder contractions, sphincteric spasticity,detrusor hyperreflexia (neurogenic bladder), detrusor instability, andthe like.

“Outlet obstruction” includes, but is not limited to, benign prostatichypertrophy (BPH), urethral stricture disease, tumors, low flow rates,difficulty in initiating urination, urgency, suprapubic pain, and thelike.

“Outlet insufficiency” includes, but is not limited to, urethralhypermobility, intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, mixed incontinence,stress incontinence, and the like.

“Pelvic Hypersensitivity” includes, but is not limited to, pelvic pain,interstitial (cell) cystitis, prostatodynia, prostatitis, vulvadynia,urethritis, orchidalgia, overactive bladder, and the like.

“Respiratory disorder” refers to, without limitation, chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchospasm, and thelike.

“Gastrointestinal disorder” (“GI disorder”) refers to, withoutlimitation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD), biliary colic and other biliary disorders, renal colic,diarrhea-dominant IBS, pain associated with GI distension, and the like.

“Pain” includes, without limitation, inflammatory pain; surgical pain;visceral pain; dental pain; premenstrual pain; central pain; pain due toburns; migraine or cluster headaches; nerve injury; neuritis;neuralgias; poisoning; ischemic injury; interstitial cystitis; cancerpain; viral, parasitic or bacterial infection; post-traumatic injury; orpain associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

“Therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of a compound that,when administered to a subject for treating a disease state, issufficient to effect such treatment for the disease state. The“therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound,disease state being treated, the severity or the disease treated, theage and relative health of the subject, the route and form ofadministration, the judgment of the attending medical or veterinarypractitioner, and other factors.

The terms “those defined above” and “those defined herein” whenreferring to a variable incorporates by reference the broad definitionof the variable as well as preferred, more preferred and most preferreddefinitions, if any.

“Treating” or “treatment” of a disease state includes:

-   -   (i) preventing the disease state, i.e. causing the clinical        symptoms of the disease state not to develop in a subject that        may be exposed to or predisposed to the disease state, but does        not yet experience or display symptoms of the disease state.    -   (ii) inhibiting the disease state, i.e., arresting the        development of the disease state or its clinical symptoms, or    -   (iii) relieving the disease state, i.e., causing temporary or        permanent regression of the disease state or its clinical        symptoms.

The terms “treating”, “contacting” and “reacting” when referring to achemical reaction means adding or mixing two or more reagents underappropriate conditions to produce the indicated and/or the desiredproduct. It should be appreciated that the reaction which produces theindicated and/or the desired product may not necessarily result directlyfrom the combination of two reagents which were initially added, i.e.,there may be one or more intermediates which are produced in the mixturewhich ultimately leads to the formation of the indicated and/or thedesired product.

Nomenclature and Structures

In general, the nomenclature used in this application is based onAUTONOM™ v.4.0, a Beilstein Institute computerized system for thegeneration of IUPAC systematic nomenclature. Chemical structures shownherein were prepared using ISIS® version 2.2. Any open valency appearingon a carbon, oxygen sulfur or nitrogen atom in the structures hereinindicates the presence of a hydrogen atom unless indicated otherwise.Where a nitrogen-containing heteroaryl ring is shown with an openvalency on a nitrogen atom, and variables such as R^(a), R^(b) or R^(c)are shown on the heteroaryl ring, such variables may be bound or joinedto the open valency nitrogen. Where a chiral center exists in astructure but no specific stereochemistry is shown for the chiralcenter, both enantiomers associated with the chiral center areencompassed by the structure. Where a structure shown herein may existin multiple tautomeric forms, all such tautomers are encompassed by thestructure.

All patents and publications identified herein are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

Compounds of the Invention

The invention provides compounds of the formula I:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,wherein:

R¹ is optionally substituted pyrazolyl;

R² is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridinyl,optionally substituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted pyridazinylor optionally substituted thiophenyl;

R³ is:

-   -   hydrogen;    -   C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; or    -   cyano;

R⁴ is:

-   -   hydrogen;    -   C₁₋₆alkyl; or    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;

or R³ and R⁴ together with the atom to which they are attached may forma C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring;

R⁵ is:

-   -   C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   halo-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   N—C₁₋₆alkylamino;    -   N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino;    -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;    -   aryl;    -   heteroaryl;    -   heterocyclyl;    -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   —(CR^(a)R^(b))_(m)—C(O)—R⁸ wherein:        -   m is 0 or 1;        -   R^(a) and R^(b) each independently is:            -   hydrogen; or            -   C₁₋₆alkyl; and        -   R⁸ is:            -   hydrogen;            -   C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;            -   aryl;            -   heteroaryl;            -   heterocyclyl;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy;            -   aryloxy;            -   heteroaryloxy;            -   heterocyclyloxy;            -   C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heteroaryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;            -   heterocyclyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; or            -   —NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein:                -   R⁹ is:                -    hydrogen; or                -    C₁₋₆alkyl; and                -   R¹⁰ is:                -    hydrogen;                -    C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;                -    aryl;                -    heteroaryl;                -    heterocyclyl;                -    C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;                -    heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl; or                -    heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached may forma C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring that is optionally substituted with hydroxy;

or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached may forma C₄₋₆ heterocyclic ring containing one or two heteroatoms eachindependently selected from O, N and S;

or R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached mayform a six-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms, andwhich is optionally substituted with halo, amino or C₁₋₆alkyl; and

R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently is:

-   -   hydrogen    -   C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    -   halo;    -   C₁₋₆haloalkyl; or    -   cyano.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is optionally substitutedpyrazol-1-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is optionally substitutedpyrazol-3-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is optionally substitutedpyrazol-4-yl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionally substitutedonce, twice or three times, and more preferably once, with C₁₋₆alkyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionally substitutedwith C₁₋₆alkyl or halo-C₁₋₆alky.

In many embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionally substitutedonce with C₁₋₆alkyl or halo-C₁₋₆alky.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once, twice or three times, preferably once, with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylaminocarbonyl, di-C₁₋₆alkylaminocarbonyl,phenyl, heterocyclyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl orcyano.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once or twice, preferably once, with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-carbonyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-carbonyl, di-C₁₋₆alkylamino-carbonyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl orC₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once with C₁₋₆alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy, phenyl, heterocyclyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl,C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl or cyano.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once with halo-C₁₋₄alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl substituted oncewith halo-C₁₋₄alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl substituted oncewith hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, orN,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once with methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isopropyl,isobutyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropylmethyl,phenyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, fluoromethyl,pentafluoro-ethyl, 1,1-difluoro-ethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl,ethoxy-carbonyl, methylamino-carbonyl, dimethylamino-carbonyl,isopropylamino-carbonyl, 3-methyl-oxetan-3-yl, 1-methoxy-ethyl,1-ethoxy-ethyl, 2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl, 1-hydroxy-ethyl, isopropoxy,1-methyl-azetidin-2-yl, 1-dimethylamino-ethyl or dimethylamino-methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once with methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl,tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropylmethyl, trifluoromethyl,pentafluoro-ethyl, ethoxy-carbonyl, methylamino-carbonyl,dimethylamino-carbonyl, isopropylamino-carbonyl, or3-methyl-oxetan-3-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is pyrazolyl substituted oncewith C₁₋₆alkyl selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,isobutyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl or cyclopropylmethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R¹ is pyrazolyl optionallysubstituted once with halo-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from trifluoromethyl,difluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, pentafluoro-ethyl, 1,1-difluoro-ethyl or2,2-difluoroethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is phenyl substituted once ortwice independently with halo or methyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R² is phenyl substituted at the4-position with methyl or halo and optionally substituted at the 2- and6-positions with halo.

In many embodiments of formula I, R² is phenyl substituted at the4-position with methyl or halo and optionally substituted at the2-position with halo.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl,2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, 2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl,4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl, 2,4-dichloro-phenyl, 2,4-difluoro-phenyl, or2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl or4-chloro-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 2,4-dichloro-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 2,4-difluoro-phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R² is optionally substitutedpyridinyl. Exemplary pyridinyl include pyridin-2-yl, andpyridin-2-one-1-yl, each optionally substituted once, twice of threetimes with any of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, halo, C₁₋₆haloalkyl,hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl or cyano. Preferred pyridyl include4-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 4-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl and4-methyl-pyridin-2-one-1-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin 2-yl substituted withmethyl or halo at the 5-position.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin 2-yl substituted withmethyl or halo at the 5-position and optionally substituted with halo atthe 3-position.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl,5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or 3,5-dichloro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 3,5-dichloro-pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is optionally substitutedpyridazinyl. In such embodiments R² may be 6-chloro-pyridazinyl or6-methyl-pyridazinyl, preferably 6-chloro-pyridazinyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is optionally substitutedthiophenyl. In such embodiments R² may be thiophen-2-yl optionallysubstituted with C₁₋₆alkyl or halo. Preferred thiophenyl include3-methyl-thiophen-2-yl, 5-methyl-thiophen-2-yl and5-chloro-thiophen-2-yl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R⁶ is hydrogen. In certain embodimentsof formula I, R⁶ may be methyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R³ is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁴ is hydrogen.

In many embodiments of formula I, R³ is C₁₋₆alkyl. A preferred C₁₋₆alkylin such embodiments is methyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkyl. A preferred C₁₋₆alkylin such embodiments is methyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R³ is hydrogen and R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkyl,preferably methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³ and R⁴ together with the atom towhich they are attached may form a C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³ and R⁴ together with the atom towhich they are attached may form a cyclopropyl group.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom towhich they are attached form a C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring that is optionallysubstituted with hydroxy.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom towhich they are attached form a cyclopropyl group.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³ is hydrogen and R⁴ and R⁵together with the atom to which they are attached form a cyclopropylgroup.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³ is hydrogen and R⁴ and R⁵together with the atom to which they are attached form a cyclopentylgroup optionally substituted with hydroxy.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom towhich they are attached form a C₄₋₆heterocyclic ring containing one ortwo heteroatoms each independently selected from O, N and S.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom towhich they are attached form a piperidinyl group or oxetanyl ring group.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom towhich they are attached form a piperidin-3-yl group or an oxetan-3-ylgroup.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with theatom to which they are attached form a six-membered heteroarylcontaining one or two nitrogen atoms, and which is optionallysubstituted with halo, amino or C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with theatom to which they are attached form a heteroaryl selected from2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyrimidinyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl orpyridazinyl, each optionally substituted with methyl or amino.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with theatom to which they are attached form a heteroaryl selected from2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyrimidin-4-yl, 2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyrimidin-4-yl,1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyrimidin-4-yl, 6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl,pyridazin-4-yl, 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl, 2-aminopyrimidin-4-yl or2-amino-pyrimidin-3-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; amino-C₁₋₆alkyl;N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl;C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; optionally substituted phenyl; heteroaryl, orheterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkylsubstituted with halo.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl. Onepreferred C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl is methoxymethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl. Onepreferred hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl is hydroxymethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments where R⁵ is heteroaryl, such heteroaryl may bepyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,thienyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl,3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-isoxazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl,imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl, and benzimidazolyl,each of which may be optionally substituted one, two or three times witha group or groups independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy,C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, halo, amino, N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino, orN,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino. More preferably, such heteroarly may beoptionally substituted once or twice with a group or groupsindependently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, fluoro, chloro,trifluoromethyl, amino, methylamino or dimethylamino.

In certain embodiments where R⁵ is heteroaryl, such heteroaryl may bepyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl or thiazolyl,each of which may be optionally substituted once or twice with a groupor groups independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, fluoro,chloro, amino, methylamino or dimethylamino.

In certain embodiments where R⁵ heteroaryl, such heteroaryl may bepyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, or pyrazinyl, each of which may be optionallysubstituted once or twice with a group or groups independently selectedfrom methyl, fluoro, chloro, amino, methylamino or dimethylamino.

In certain embodiments of formula I, where R⁵ is heteroaryl, suchheteroaryl may be thiophen-2-yl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl,pyridin-4-yl, oxazol-2-yl, pyrimidin-2-yl, pyridazin-4-yl, pyrazin-2-yl,5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl, imidazol-1-yl, pyrazol-1-yl,3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl, 2-methyl-thiazol-4-yl,3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-[1,2,4]-oxadiazol-5-yl,3-(pyridin-4-yl)-[1,2,4]-oxadiazol-5-yl, pyridazin-3-yl,2-methyl-pyrazol-3-yl, thiazol-5-yl, 1-methyl-imidazol-2-yl,6-chloro-pyrimidin-4-yl, 4-ethyl-[1,2,4]-triazol-3-yl,1,3,5-trimethyl-pyrazol-4-yl, 1,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-4-yl,1,3-dimethyl-pyrazol-4-yl, 3-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-[1,2,4]-oxadiazol-5-yl,3-(pyridin-3-yl-[1,2,4]-oxadiazol-5-yl, tetrazol-5-yl, pyrazol-3-yl,4-amino-2-methyl-pyrimidin-5-yl, 2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl,6-methoxy-pyridazin-3-yl, 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-isoxazol-5-yl,3-methyl-thiophen-2-yl, 5-methyl-[1,3,4]-oxadiazol-2-yl,4-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl, 3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl,1-methyl-pyrazol-3-yl, 3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl,5-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl,5-cyclopropyl-3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl,imidazo[2,1-b]-thiazol-6-yl, thiazol-4-yl, 2-propyl-pyrazol-3-yl,2-ethyl-pyrazol-3-yl, 5-amino-pyridazin-2-yl, 3-amino-pyridazin-2-yl,3-chloro-pyridazin-2-yl, 2-amino-pyrimidin-5-yl, 1-methyl-imidazol-4-yl,6-amino-pyridin-3-yl, 6-amino-pyridazin-2-yl, 2-amino-pyridin-4-yl,2-dimethylamino-pyrimidin-5-yl, 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl,2-methylamino-pyridin-4-yl, 2-dimethylamino-pyridin-4-yl,3-methyl-2-dimethylamino-pyridin-4-yl, pyrimidin-5-yl,2-methyl-pyridin-4-yl, 6-methylamino-pyridin-3-yl,6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl, 6-methylamino-pyrimidin-4-yl,6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl, 6-methylamino-pyridin-3-yl,2-methylamino-pyrimidin-5-yl, 6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl,4-methyl-thiazol-2-yl, 2,6-dimethyl-pyridin-3-yl,imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 1-ethyl-pyrazol-3-yl,3-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl, 1-ethyl-imidazol-2-yl,1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl, imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl,3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 6-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,1,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-3-yl, 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl,6-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-3-yl, 5-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl,5-methyl-imidazol-2-yl, 5-methoxy-benzimidazol-2-yl,[1,2,4]triazol-3-yl, and 8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In embodiments where R⁵ is heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, suchheterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl may be heterocyclyl-methyl such asmorpholinomethyl, piperidinyl-methyl, piperazinyl-methyl,thiomorpholinylmethyl, pyrrolidinylmethyl, or azetidinylmethyl, theheterocyclyl portion of each of which may be optionally substituted onceor twice with a group or groups independently selected from methyl,methoxy, halo, methanesulfonyl, oxo or acetyl.

In embodiments where R⁵ is heterocyclyl-methyl, such heterocyclylmethylmay be morpholin-4-yl-methyl, 4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-yl-methyl,4-acetyl-piperazin-1-yl-methyl, piperidin-1-yl,thiomorpholin-4-yl-methyl, 4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl-methyl,3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl-methyl, 3-methoxy-piperidin-1-yl-methyl,4-methoxy-piperidin-1-yl-methyl, 4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-yl-methyl,1-oxo-thiomorpholin-4-yl-methyl, 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl-methyl,azetidin-3-yl-methyl, 4-methanesulfonyl-piperidin-1-yl-methyl,4-fluoro-piperidin1-yl-methyl, 4-acetyl-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl-methyl,4-acetyl-3,5-dimethyl-piperazin-1-yl-methyl,2,6-dimethyl-morpholin-4-yl-methyl, 4,4-difluoro-piperidin1-yl-methyl,3-fluoro-piperidin1-yl-methyl, 4-methyl-4-hydroxy-piperidin1-yl-methyl,or 3-fluoro-4-methoxy-piperidin1-yl-methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl,pyrazin-2-yl or 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl,pyrazin-2-yl, 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl, 6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl, or1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is hydroxymethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is methoxymethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is pyrazin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁵ is 6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, one of R⁷ and R⁸ is halo orC₁₋₄alkoxy and the other is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently ishalo or C₁₋₄alkoxy.

In certain embodiments of formula I, one of R⁷ and R⁸ is fluoro, chloroor methoxy, and the other is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently isfluoro, chloro or methoxy.

In certain embodiments of formula I, one of R⁷ and R⁸ is fluoro and theother is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, one of R⁷ and R⁸ is chloro and theother is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, one of R⁷ and R⁸ is methoxy and theother is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R⁷ and R⁸ are fluoro.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 4-methyl-phenyl; 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl;2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl; 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl; 2,4-dichloro-phenyl;2,4-difluoro-phenyl; or 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl;

R³ is hydrogen;

R⁴ is: hydrogen; or methyl; and

R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylsulfanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl;N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; optionally substitutedphenyl; heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R′ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or3,5-dichloro-ppyridin-2-yl;

R³ is hydrogen;

R⁴ is: hydrogen; or methyl; and

R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylsulfanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl;N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; optionally substitutedphenyl; heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 4-methyl-phenyl; 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl;2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl; 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl; 2,4-dichloro-phenyl;2,4-difluoro-phenyl; or 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl;

R³ is hydrogen;

R⁴ is: hydrogen; or methyl; and

R⁵ is: hydroxymethyl; methoxymethyl; morpholin-4-ylmethyl;piperidin-1-yl methyl optionally substituted at the 4-position withmethyl, methanesulfonyl or acetyl; 1,1,-dioxo-thiomorpholin-1-yl;piperidin-1-yl-methyl optionally substituted once or twice with a groupor groups selected independently from methyl, methoxy or halo;pyridinyl; pyrimidinyl; pyrazinyl; pyridazinyl; pyrazolyl; or thiazolyl;wherein the pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyland thiazolyl each may be optionally substituted once or twice with agroup or groups selected independently from methyl, methylamino,dimethylamino and halo.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or3,5-dichloro-ppyridin-2-yl;

R³ is hydrogen;

R⁴ is: hydrogen; or methyl; and

R⁵ is: hydroxymethyl; methoxymethyl; morpholin-4-ylmethyl;piperidin-1-yl methyl optionally substituted at the 4-position withmethyl, methanesulfonyl or acetyl; 1,1,-dioxo-thiomorpholin-1-yl;piperidin-1-yl optionally substituted once or twice with a group orgroups selected independently from methyl, methoxy or halo; pyridinyl;pyrimidinyl; pyrazinyl; pyridazinyl; pyrazolyl; or thiazolyl; whereinthe pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl andthiazolyl each may be optionally substituted once or twice with a groupor groups selected independently from methyl, methylamino, dimethylaminoand halo.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 4-methyl-phenyl; 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl;2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl; 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl; 2,4-dichloro-phenyl;2,4-difluoro-phenyl; or 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl;

R³ is hydrogen; and

R⁴ and R⁵ together form a cyclopropyl group.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or3,5-dichloro-ppyridin-2-yl;

R³ is hydrogen; and

R⁴ and R⁵ together form a cyclopropyl group.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 4-methyl-phenyl; 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl;2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl; 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl; 2,4-dichloro-phenyl;2,4-difluoro-phenyl; or 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl;

R³ is hydrogen;

R⁴ is methyl; and

R⁵ is methoxymethyl, hydroxymethyl, 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl orpyrazin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or3,5-dichloro-ppyridin-2-yl;

R³ is hydrogen;

R⁴ is methyl; and

R⁵ is methoxymethyl, hydroxymethyl, 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl orpyrazin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl substituted at the 2-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 4-methyl-phenyl; 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl;2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl; 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl; 2,4-dichloro-phenyl;2,4-difluoro-phenyl; or 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl;

R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen; and

R⁵ is 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I:

R¹ is pyrazol-3-yl optionally substituted at the 2-position withC₁₋₆alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;

R² is: 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, 5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or3,5-dichloro-ppyridin-2-yl;

R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen; and

R⁵ is 5-methyl-pyridazin-2-yl.

In formula I, R′ may be represented by a group of formula A;

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) each independently is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkoxy; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; phenyl; amino; N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino;N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino halo-C₁₋₆alkyl; halo-C₁₋₆alkoxy;hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;aminocarbonyl; heterocyclylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl; or cyano; orR^(a) and R^(b) together with the atoms to which they are attached mayform a phenyl, pyridinyl or pyrimidinyl group, each optionallysubstituted; and wherein R^(c) is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or halo-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is a group of formula A1:

wherein R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) are as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is a group of formula A2:

wherein R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) are as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R′ is a group of formula A3:

wherein R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) are as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkoxy; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; amino;N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino; N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino halo-C₁₋₆alkyl;halo-C₁₋₆alkoxy; hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl;C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; aminocarbonyl; heterocyclylcarbonyl;C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl; or cyano.

In embodiments of formula I wherein R^(a) or R^(b) is hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl,such hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl may be selected from hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl, andN,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl,tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropylmethyl, phenyl,trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, pentafluoro-ethyl,1,1-difluoro-ethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 1-methoxy-ethyl, 1-ethoxy-ethyl,2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl, 1-hydroxy-ethyl, isopropoxy,1-methyl-azetidin-2-yl, 1-dimethylamino-ethyl or dimethylamino-methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) eachindependently is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or halo-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) eachindependently is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₁₋₆alkyl or halo-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₁₋₆alkoxy.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is amino.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is halo-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is halo-C₁₋₆alkoxy.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is aminocarbonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is heterocyclylcarbonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is cyano.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl,tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, trifluoromethyl,pentafluoro-ethyl, 1,1-difluoro-ethyl, 1-methoxy-ethyl, 1-ethoxy-ethyl,2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl, 1-hydroxy-ethyl, or dimethylamino-methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(c) are hydrogen andR^(b) is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl,tert-butyl, cyclopropyl or cyclopropylmethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(b) together with theatoms to which they are attached form optionally substituted phenyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(b) together with theatoms to which they are attached form optionally substituted pyridinyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R^(a) and R^(b) together with theatoms to which they are attached form optionally substitutedpyrimidinyl.

“Optionally substituted pyrazolyl” as used herein includes pyrazolylthat optionally have a fused 6-membered aromatic or nitrogen-containingheteroaryl ring thereon. Thus, “optionally substituted pyrazole”includes indazolyl and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl, as well asaza-substituted derivatives thereof. Accordingly, in certain embodimentsof formula I where R^(a) and R^(b) together with the atoms to which theyare attached form optionally substituted phenyl, R¹ may be a group offormula A4

wherein R^(c) and R^(d) each independently is hydrogen, alkyl, halo,haloalkyl, alkoxy, cyano, amino or alkylsulfonyl.

In many embodiments of formula I, R³ is hydrogen and R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkyl,preferably methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl,4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, and R³ is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl,4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, R³ is hydrogen, and R⁴ ismethyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl,4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ ismethyl, and R⁶ is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl, R³ ishydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

C₁₋₆alkyl selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl and isopentyl;

hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyl-sulfinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-sulfonyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,amino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N—C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl,N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl and hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

C₃₋₇cycloalkyl selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl andcyclohexyl, each optionally substituted;

aryl selected from optionally substituted phenyl and optionallysubstituted naphthyl;

heteroaryl selected from pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl,thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, isoxazolyland isothiazolyl, each optionally substituted;

heterocyclyl selected from piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl,thiomorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl,pyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,2-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decan-8-yl, 2-oxa-5-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-5-yl,and 3-oxa-8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl, each optionally substituted;

C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from cyclopropyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,cyclobutyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, cyclopentyl-C₁₋₆alkyl and cyclohexyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,the cycloalkyl portion of each being optionally substituted;

aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from phenyl-C₁₋₆alkyl and naphthyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,the aryl portion of each being optionally substituted;

heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from pyridinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,pyrimidinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyridazinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrazinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,furanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, thienyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrrolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,oxazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, thiazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, imidazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,isoxazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl and isothiazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, the heteroaryl portionof each being optionally substituted;

heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from piperidinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,piperazinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, thiomorpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,pyranyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrrolidinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, tetrahydrofuranyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,2-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decan-8-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl,2-oxa-5-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-5-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl,3-oxa-8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl, the heterocyclyl portionof each being optionally substituted;

aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from phenoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl andnaphthyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, the aryl portion of each being optionallysubstituted; or

—C(O)—R⁸ or —CH₂—C(O)—R⁸ wherein R⁸ is as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl,4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ ismethyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

-   -   C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   morpholin-4-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   pyrazinyl; or    -   piperazin-1-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl wherein the piperazinyl moeity is        optionally substituted at the 4-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,        C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is 4-methyl-phenyl,4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ ismethyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

methoxymethyl;

hydroxymethyl;

morpholin-4-yl-methyl;

pyrazin-2-yl; or

4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R¹ is a group of formula A, R² is4-methyl-phenyl, 4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, R³ ishydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

-   -   C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   morpholin-4-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   pyrazinyl; or    -   piperazin-1-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl wherein the piperazinyl moeity is        optionally substituted at the 4-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,        C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R¹ is a group of formula A, R² is4-methyl-phenyl, 4-chloro-phenyl or 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl, R³ ishydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

methoxymethyl;

hydroxymethyl;

morpholin-4-yl-methyl;

pyrazin-2-yl; or

4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin-2-yl substituted atthe 5-position with methyl or halo, and R³ is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin-2-yl substituted atthe 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ is hydrogen, and R⁴ is methyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin-2-yl substituted atthe 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, and R⁶is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin-2-yl substituted atthe 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ ishydrogen, and R⁵ is:

C₁₋₆alkyl selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl and isopentyl;

hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyl-sulfinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-sulfonyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,amino-C₁₋₆alkyl, N—C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl,N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkylamino-C₁₋₆alkyl and hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

C₃₋₇cycloalkyl selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl andcyclohexyl, each optionally substituted;

aryl selected from optionally substituted phenyl and optionallysubstituted naphthyl;

heteroaryl selected from pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl,thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, isoxazolyland isothiazolyl, each optionally substituted;

heterocyclyl selected from piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl,thiomorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl,pyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,2-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decan-8-yl, 2-oxa-5-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-5-yl,and 3-oxa-8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl, each optionally substituted;

C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from cyclopropyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,cyclobutyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, cyclopentyl-C₁₋₆alkyl and cyclohexyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,the cycloalkyl portion of each being optionally substituted;

aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from phenyl-C₁₋₆alkyl and naphthyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,the aryl portion of each being optionally substituted;

heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from pyridinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,pyrimidinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyridazinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrazinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,furanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, thienyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrrolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,oxazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, thiazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, imidazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,isoxazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl and isothiazolyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, the heteroaryl portionof each being optionally substituted;

heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from piperidinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,piperazinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, thiomorpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,pyranyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrrolidinyl-C₁₋₆alkyl, tetrahydrofuranyl-C₁₋₆alkyl,2-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decan-8-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl,2-oxa-5-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-5-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl,3-oxa-8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl, the heterocyclyl portionof each being optionally substituted;

aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl selected from phenoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl andnaphthyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, the aryl portion of each being optionallysubstituted; or

—C(O)—R⁸ or —CH₂—C(O)—R⁸ wherein R⁸ is as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin-2-yl substituted atthe 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ ishydrogen, and R⁵ is:

-   -   C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   morpholin-4-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   pyrazinyl; or    -   piperazin-1-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl wherein the piperazinyl moeity is        optionally substituted at the 4-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,        C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R² is pyridin-2-yl substituted atthe 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ ishydrogen, and R⁵ is:

methoxymethyl;

hydroxymethyl;

morpholin-4-yl-methyl;

pyrazin-2-yl; or

4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R¹ is a group of formula A, R² ispyridin-2-yl substituted at the 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ ishydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

-   -   C₁₋₆alkoxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   morpholin-4-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   pyrazinyl; or    -   piperazin-1-yl-C₁₋₆alkyl wherein the piperazinyl moeity is        optionally substituted at the 4-position with C₁₋₆alkyl,        C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl.

In certain embodiments of formula I, R¹ is a group of formula A, R² ispyridin-2-yl substituted at the 5-position with methyl or halo, R³ ishydrogen, R⁴ is methyl, R⁶ is hydrogen, and R⁵ is:

methoxymethyl;

hydroxymethyl;

morpholin-4-yl-methyl;

pyrazin-2-yl; or

4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-yl.

In certain embodiments of formula I the subject compounds are morespecifically of formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,wherein:

X is C or N;

R¹¹ and R¹² each independently is:

-   -   hydrogen;    -   C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    -   halo;    -   halo-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   halo-C₁₋₆alkoxy;    -   hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;    -   C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; or    -   cyano; and

R¹ and R⁵ are as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula II, the compounds of the invention areof

wherein X, R¹, R⁵, R¹¹ and R¹² are as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of formula I the subject compounds are morespecifically of formula III:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,wherein X, R¹, R⁵, R¹¹ and R¹² are as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of any of formulas I, IIa, IIb, or III, R⁵ is:

wherein:

n is 0, 1 or 2;

R^(c) and R^(d) each independently is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;

R^(e) is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, acetyl or C₁₋₆alkyl-sulfonyl;

R^(f) and R′ each independently is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;

R^(h) and R^(i) each independently is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, fluoro,hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy;

R^(j) and R^(k) each independently is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; and

R^(m), R^(n), R^(o), R^(p), R^(q) and R^(r), each independently ishydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, halo, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl-sulfonylhalo-C₁₋₆alkyl, or cyano.

In certain embodiments of any of formulas I, IIa, IIb, or III, R⁵ is:

wherein R^(e) is as defined herein.

In certain embodiments of any of formulas I, IIa, IIb, or III, R⁵ is:

Where any of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R^(a),R^(b), R^(c), R^(d) and R^(e) is alkyl or contains an alkyl moiety, suchalkyl is preferably lower alkyl, i.e. C₁-C₆alkyl, and more preferablyC₁-C₄alkyl.

The invention also provides methods for treating a disease or conditionmediated by or otherwise associated with a P2X₃ receptor antagonist, aP2X_(2/3) receptor antagonist, or both, the method comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of acompound of the invention.

The disease may be genitorurinary disease or urinary tract disease. Inother instances the disease may be a disease is associated with pain.The urinary tract disease may be: reduced bladder capacity; frequencymicturition; urge incontinence; stress incontinence; bladderhyperreactivity; benign prostatic hypertrophy; prostatitis; detrusorhyperreflexia; urinary frequency; nocturia; urinary urgency; overactivebladder; pelvic hypersensitivity; urethritis; prostatitits; pelvic painsyndrome; prostatodynia; cystitis; or idiophatic bladderhypersensitivity.

The disease associated with pain may be: inflammatory pain; surgicalpain; visceral pain; dental pain; premenstrual pain; central pain; paindue to burns; migraine or cluster headaches; nerve injury; neuritis;neuralgias; poisoning; ischemic injury; interstitial cystitis; cancerpain; viral, parasitic or bacterial infection; post-traumatic injury; orpain associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

The disease may be a respiratory disorder, such as chronic obstructivepulmonary disorder (COPD), asthma, or bronchospasm, or agastrointestinal (GI) disorder such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS),Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), biliary colic and other biliarydisorders, renal colic, diarrhea-dominant IBS, pain associated with GIdistension.

Representative compounds in accordance with the methods of the inventionare shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 # Structure Name (Autonom ™) MP/M + H 1

4′-Methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethyl)-amide 364 2

4′-Methyl-5-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)- biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid (2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide 350 3

5-Indazol-1-yl-4′-methyl- biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid (2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide 400 4

5-Isopropyl-1-[5-(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 464 5

5-Isopropyl-1-[5-(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-4 ′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid dimethylamide 463 6

5-Isopropyl-1-[5-(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-4 ′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid methylamide 449 7

5-Isopropyl-1-[5-(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid isopropylamide 4778

1-[5-(2-Methoxy-1-methyl- ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-5-methyl-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 436 9

1-[5-(2-Methoxy-1-methyl- ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-5-methyl-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid isopropylamide449 10

1-[5-(2-Methoxy-1-methyl- ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-5-methyl-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid dimethylamide 43511

1-[5-(2-Methoxy-1-methyl- ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-5-methyl-1H- pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid methylamide 42112

4′-Methyl-5-(3-methyl-pyrazol- 1-yl)-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)- amide 364 13

5-(3,5-Dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)- 4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-amide 378 14

4′-Methyl-5-(2-methyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethyl)-amide 364 15

4′-Methyl-5-(1,3,5-trimethyl- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylicacid (2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethyl)-amide 392 16

4′-Methyl-5-(1,3,5-trimethyl- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylicacid (1-pyrazin-2-yl- ethyl)-amide 426 17

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(1-pyrazin-2-yl- ethyl)-amide 426 18

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1- methyl-ethyl)-amide 392 19

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(2-hydroxy-1- methyl-ethyl)-amide 378 20

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid((S)-2-hydroxy- 1-methyl-ethyl)-amide 378 21

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid((S)-2-methoxy- 1-methyl-ethyl)-amide 392 22

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid((R)-1-methyl-2- morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide 447 23

5-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid[(R)-2-(1,1- dioxo-1λ⁶-thiomorpholin-4-yl)- 1-methyl-ethyl]-amide 495 24

2′-Fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid (2- hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide 396 25

3-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide 427 26

3-(3-Chloro-5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide 461 27

3-(5-Isopropyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-5- (5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 28

N-(2-Hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)- 3-(5-isopropyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 379 29

3-(2-Ethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5- (5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 413 30

3-(2-Ethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N- (2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 365 31

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(2-isobutyl- 2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 375 32

3-(3-Fluoro-5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide 445 33

3-(3-Fluoro-5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-benzamide 445 34

3-(3-Fluoro-5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 397 35

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(3-fluoro-5- methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- benzamide 379 36

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide 447 37

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)- benzamide 447 38

N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-benzamide 427 39

3-(5-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 427 40

N-((S)-2-Hydroxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-benzamide 379 41

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 361 42

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- ethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)- benzamide 433 43

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- ethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 433 44

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- ethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)- benzamide 385 45

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- cyclopropyl-5-(2-ethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 367 46

N-((S)-2-Hydroxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-3-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 379 47

N-(5-Amino-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-3-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 428 48

4′-Methyl-5-(2-methyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(5-methyl- pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-amide 398 49

4′-Methyl-5-(2-methyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid(1-pyrazin-2-yl- ethyl)-amide 398 50

4′-Methyl-5-(2-methyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid((S)-2-hydroxy- 1-methyl-ethyl)-amide 350 51

N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-3-(2-methyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 399 52

3-(2-Methyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- 5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 399 53

N-((S)-2-Hydroxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-3-(2-methyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 351 54

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(2-methyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 333 55

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(5- methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- benzamide 447 56

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 447 57

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- ((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- benzamide 399 58

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- cyclopropyl-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 381 59

N-[(R)-2-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1- yl)-1-methyl-ethyl]-3-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5- (5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 489 60

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 461 61

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2- isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)- benzamide 461 62

N-[(R)-2-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1- yl)-1-methyl-ethyl]-3-(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 509 63

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- cyclopropyl-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 381 64

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- ((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-benzamide 399 65

3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5- methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 439 66

3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl- ethyl)-benzamide 439 67

3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 391 68

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(2- cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 373 69

3-(2-Cyclobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 439 70

3-(2-Cyclobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-benzamide 391 71

3-(2-Cyclobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-cyclopropyl-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 373 72

3-(2-Isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 441 73

3-(2-Isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- 5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 441 74

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(2-isobutyl- 2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 375 75

3-(3-Fluoro-5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-benzamide 445 76

3-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 427 77

3-(3-Chloro-5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-benzamide 461 78

3-(5-Isopropyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-N- (5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 427 79

N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(5-trifluoromethyl- pyrazol-1-yl)-benzamide 453 80

N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(3-trifluoromethyl- pyrazol-1-yl)-benzamide 453 81

3-(5-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1- pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-5-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)- benzamide 453 82

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-5-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)- benzamide 83

3-(5-Isobutyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-N- (5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 441 84

3-(5-Isobutyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-5- (5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 441 85

N-((S)-2-Hydroxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-3-(5-isobutyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 393 86

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(5-isobutyl- pyrazol-1-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 375 87

3-(5-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(3- pentafluoroethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide 503 88

N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2- ylmethyl)-3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(3-pentafluoroethyl- pyrazol-1-yl)-benzamide 503 89

N-Cyclopropyl-3-(5-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-5-(3-pentafluoroethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)- benzamide 437 90

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- ((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(2-isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- benzamide 91

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N- cyclopropyl-5-(2-isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide 92

3-(2-tert-Butyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 93

3-(2-tert-Butyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2- yl)-benzamide 94

3-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 95

3-(2-Isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- N-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 96

3-[2-(3-Methyl-oxetan-3- ylmethyl)-2H-pyrazol-3-yl]-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)- 5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 97

N-((S)-2-Hydroxy-1-methyl- ethyl)-3-[2-(3-methyl-oxetan-3-ylmethyl)-2H-pyrazol-3-yl]-5- (5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- benzamide 98

3-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(6- methyl-pyridazin-3-ylmethyl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)- benzamide 99

3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H- pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-ylmethyl)-5-(5- methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide 100

3-(2-Isopropoxy-2H-pyrazol-3- yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 101

3-(5-Isobutyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-N- (6-methyl-pyridazin-3-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-benzamide 441

Synthesis

Compounds of the present invention can be made by a variety of methodsdepicted in the illustrative synthetic reaction schemes shown anddescribed below.

The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compoundsgenerally are either available from commercial suppliers, such asAldrich Chemical Co., or are prepared by methods known to those skilledin the art following procedures set forth in references such as Fieserand Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis; Wiley & Sons: New York,1991, Volumes 1-15; Rodd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, ElsevierScience Publishers, 1989, Volumes 1-5 and Supplementals; and OrganicReactions, Wiley & Sons: New York, 1991, Volumes 1-40. The followingsynthetic reaction schemes are merely illustrative of some methods bywhich the compounds of the present invention can be synthesized, andvarious modifications to these synthetic reaction schemes can be madeand will be suggested to one skilled in the art having referred to thedisclosure contained in this application.

The starting materials and the intermediates of the synthetic reactionschemes can be isolated and purified if desired using conventionaltechniques, including but not limited to, filtration, distillation,crystallization, chromatography, and the like. Such materials can becharacterized using conventional means, including physical constants andspectral data.

Unless specified to the contrary, the reactions described hereinpreferably are conducted under an inert atmosphere at atmosphericpressure at a reaction temperature range of from about −78° C. to about150° C., more preferably from about 0° C. to about 125° C., and mostpreferably and conveniently at about room (or ambient) temperature,e.g., about 20° C.

Scheme A below illustrates one synthetic procedure usable to preparespecific compounds of formula I, wherein Y is an optional leaving group,R is lower alkyl, and X, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R¹¹, R¹², R^(a) and R^(b) areas defined herein.

In step 1 of Scheme A, nitrobenzoic acid a is subject to iodinationunder sulfuric acid conditions to afford iodo-nitrobenzoic acid b. Instep 2 benzoic acid compound b is reacted with arylboronic acid compoundc in the presence of tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium catalyst toafford nitro-biphenyl acid compound d. The acid group of nitro-biphenylacid d is protected by esterification in step 3 to form nitro-biphenylacid ester e. Nitro-biphenyl ester e is then subject to reduction toform biphenylamine f in step 4. An iodination reaction is carried out instep 5 by treating biphenylamine f with methylene iodide or likeiodination reagent to afford iodo compound g. In step 6 the ester groupof compound g is hydrolyzed to give acid compound h. In step 7 an amideformation is achieved by reaction of biphenyl iodo compound h with aminei in the presence of carbodiimide, to afford compound j.

In step 8, compound j is reacted with pyrazole k in the presence ofcopper iodide to afford pyrazol-1-yl substituted compound m, which is acompound of formula I in accordance with the invention.

Alternatively, instead of step 8, step 9 may be carried out whereincompound j is treated with pyrazol-3-boronic acid compound n in thepresence of a palladium catalyst such astetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium to afford pyrazol-3-ylsubstituted compound o, which is a compound of formula I in accordancewith the invention.

In yet another alternative compound j may be reacted withpyrazol-4-boronic acid compound p in the presence of a palladiumcatalyst such as tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium in step 10 toafford pyrazol-4-yl substituted compound q, which is a compound offormula I in accordance with the invention.

Many variations of Scheme A are possible and will suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art. For example, n many embodiments steps 8-10 maybe carried out prior to steps 6 and 7. The resulting pyrazol-substitutedcompound (not shown) would then undergoes ester hydrolyisis as in step6, followed by amide formation as in step 7, to provide compounds m, oor q.

Scheme B below relates another synthetic route to compounds of theinvention, wherein Y is an optional leaving group, R is lower alkyl, andX, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R¹¹, R¹², R^(a) and R^(b) are as defined herein.

In step 1 of Scheme B, iodo-bromo-benzoic acid ester r is reacted withbis(pinacolato)-diborane in the presence of a palladium catalyst toyield pinacoloato-borane benzoic acid ester compound s. Compound s thenundergoes a Buchwald coupling in step 2 by reaction with aryl bromide tto afford aryl benzoic acid ester compound u. Compound u may then instep 3, be reacted with pyrazole k in the presence of copper iodide toafford pyrazol-1-yl substituted ester compound v. Alternatively, step 4may be carried out by reacting compound p with pyrazol-3-boronic acidcompound n in the presence of a palladium catalyst such astetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium to afford pyrazol-3-ylsubstituted compound w. As yet another alternative, compound u may bereacted with pyrazol-4-boronic acid compound p in the presence of apalladium catalyst such as tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium instep 5 to afford pyrazol-4-yl substituted compound x. Compounds v, w andx then undergo ester hydrolysis and reaction with amine i, as shown insteps 6 and 7 of Scheme A, to afford pyrazole-substituted compounds m, oand q, which are compounds of formula I in accordance with theinvention.

Specific details for producing compounds of the invention are describedin the Examples section below.

Utility

The compounds of the invention are usable for the treatment of a widerange of genitorurinary diseases, conditions and disorders, includingurinary tract disease states associated with bladder outlet obstructionand urinary incontinence conditions such as reduced bladder capacity,frequency of micturition, urge incontinence, stress incontinence,bladder hyperreactivity, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH),prostatitis, detrusor hyperreflexia, urinary frequency, nocturia,urinary urgency, overactive bladder, pelvic hypersensitivity,urethritis, prostatitits, pelvic pain syndrome, prostatodynia, cystitis,and idiophatic bladder hypersensitivity, and other symptoms related tooveractive bladder.

The compounds of the invention are expected to find utility asanalgesics in the treatment of diseases and conditions associated withpain from a wide variety of causes, including, but not limited to,inflammatory pain such as pain associated with arthritis (includingrheumatoid arthritis pain and osteoarthritis pain), surgical pain,visceral pain, dental pain, premenstrual pain, central pain, pain due toburns, migraine or cluster headaches, nerve injury, neuritis,neuralgias, poisoning, ischemic injury, interstitial cystitis, cancerpain, viral, parasitic or bacterial infection, post-traumatic injuries(including fractures and sports injuries), and pain associated withfunctional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Further, compounds of the invention are useful for treating respiratorydisorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD),asthma, bronchospasm, and the like.

Additionally, compounds of the invention are useful for treatinggastrointestinal disorders, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS),Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), biliary colic and other biliarydisorders, renal colic, diarrhea-dominant IBS, pain associated with GIdistension, and the like.

Administration and Pharmaceutical Composition

The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising at leastone compound of the present invention, or an individual isomer, racemicor non-racemic mixture of isomers or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltor solvate thereof, together with at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier, and optionally other therapeutic and/or prophylacticingredients.

In general, the compounds of the invention will be administered in atherapeutically effective amount by any of the accepted modes ofadministration for agents that serve similar utilities. Suitable dosageranges are typically 1-500 mg daily, preferably 1-100 mg daily, and mostpreferably 1-30 mg daily, depending upon numerous factors such as theseverity of the disease to be treated, the age and relative health ofthe subject, the potency of the compound used, the route and form ofadministration, the indication towards which the administration isdirected, and the preferences and experience of the medical practitionerinvolved. One of ordinary skill in the art of treating such diseaseswill be able, without undue experimentation and in reliance uponpersonal knowledge and the disclosure of this application, to ascertaina therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of the presentinvention for a given disease.

Compounds of the invention may be administered as pharmaceuticalformulations including those suitable for oral (including buccal andsub-lingual), rectal, nasal, topical, pulmonary, vaginal, or parenteral(including intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, subcutaneous andintravenous) administration or in a form suitable for administration byinhalation or insufflation. The preferred manner of administration isgenerally oral using a convenient daily dosage regimen which can beadjusted according to the degree of affliction.

A compound or compounds of the invention, together with one or moreconventional adjuvants, carriers, or diluents, may be placed into theform of pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosages. The pharmaceuticalcompositions and unit dosage forms may be comprised of conventionalingredients in conventional proportions, with or without additionalactive compounds or principles, and the unit dosage forms may containany suitable effective amount of the active ingredient commensurate withthe intended daily dosage range to be employed. The pharmaceuticalcompositions may be employed as solids, such as tablets or filledcapsules, semisolids, powders, sustained release formulations, orliquids such as solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, or filledcapsules for oral use; or in the form of suppositories for rectal orvaginal administration; or in the form of sterile injectable solutionsfor parenteral use. Formulations containing about one (1) milligram ofactive ingredient or, more broadly, about 0.01 to about one hundred(100) milligrams, per tablet, are accordingly suitable representativeunit dosage forms.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated in a wide variety oforal administration dosage forms. The pharmaceutical compositions anddosage forms may comprise a compound or compounds of the presentinvention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as the activecomponent. The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be either solidor liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, pills,capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible granules. A solidcarrier may be one or more substances which may also act as diluents,flavouring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders,preservatives, tablet disintegrating agents, or an encapsulatingmaterial. In powders, the carrier generally is a finely divided solidwhich is a mixture with the finely divided active component. In tablets,the active component generally is mixed with the carrier having thenecessary binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted in theshape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain fromabout one (1) to about seventy (70) percent of the active compound.Suitable carriers include but are not limited to magnesium carbonate,magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch,gelatine, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, alow melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The term “preparation” isintended to include the formulation of the active compound withencapsulating material as carrier, providing a capsule in which theactive component, with or without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier,which is in association with it. Similarly, cachets and lozenges areincluded. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, and lozenges maybe as solid forms suitable for oral administration.

Other forms suitable for oral administration include liquid formpreparations including emulsions, syrups, elixirs, aqueous solutions,aqueous suspensions, or solid form preparations which are intended to beconverted shortly before use to liquid form preparations. Emulsions maybe prepared in solutions, for example, in aqueous propylene glycolsolutions or may contain emulsifying agents, for example, such aslecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia. Aqueous solutions can beprepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitablecolorants, flavors, stabilizers, and thickening agents. Aqueoussuspensions can be prepared by dispersing the finely divided activecomponent in water with viscous material, such as natural or syntheticgums, resins, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and otherwell known suspending agents. Solid form preparations include solutions,suspensions, and emulsions, and may contain, in addition to the activecomponent, colorants, flavors, stabilizers, buffers, artificial andnatural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilizing agents, andthe like.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for parenteraladministration (e.g., by injection, for example bolus injection orcontinuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose form in ampoules,pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containerswith an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms assuspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, forexample solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol. Examples of oily ornonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehicles include propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil), andinjectable organic esters (e.g., ethyl oleate), and may containformulatory agents such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying orsuspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, theactive ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolationof sterile solid or by lyophilization from solution for constitutionbefore use with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for topicaladministration to the epidermis as ointments, creams or lotions, or as atransdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulatedwith an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickeningand/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oilybase and will in general also containing one or more emulsifying agents,stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickeningagents, or coloring agents. Formulations suitable for topicaladministration in the mouth include lozenges comprising active agents ina flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastillescomprising the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatine andglycerine or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the activeingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for administration assuppositories. A low melting wax, such as a mixture of fatty acidglycerides or cocoa butter is first melted and the active component isdispersed homogeneously, for example, by stirring. The moltenhomogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds, allowedto cool, and to solidify.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for vaginaladministration. Pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams orsprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers asare known in the art to be appropriate.

The subject compounds may be formulated for nasal administration. Thesolutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal cavity byconventional means, for example, with a dropper, pipette or spray. Theformulations may be provided in a single or multidose form. In thelatter case of a dropper or pipette, this may be achieved by the patientadministering an appropriate, predetermined volume of the solution orsuspension. In the case of a spray, this may be achieved for example bymeans of a metering atomizing spray pump.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for aerosoladministration, particularly to the respiratory tract and includingintranasal administration. The compound will generally have a smallparticle size for example of the order of five (5) microns or less. Sucha particle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for exampleby micronization. The active ingredient is provided in a pressurizedpack with a suitable propellant such as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), forexample, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, ordichlorotetrafluoroethane, or carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. Theaerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant such as lecithin. Thedose of drug may be controlled by a metered valve. Alternatively theactive ingredients may be provided in a form of a dry powder, forexample a powder mix of the compound in a suitable powder base such aslactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP). The powder carrier will form agel in the nasal cavity. The powder composition may be presented in unitdose form for example in capsules or cartridges of e.g., gelatine orblister packs from which the powder may be administered by means of aninhaler.

When desired, formulations can be prepared with enteric coatings adaptedfor sustained or controlled release administration of the activeingredient. For example, the compounds of the present invention can beformulated in transdermal or subcutaneous drug delivery devices. Thesedelivery systems are advantageous when sustained release of the compoundis necessary and when patient compliance with a treatment regimen iscrucial. Compounds in transdermal delivery systems are frequentlyattached to an skin-adhesive solid support. The compound of interest canalso be combined with a penetration enhancer, e.g., Azone(1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one). Sustained release delivery systems areinserted subcutaneously into the subdermal layer by surgery orinjection. The subdermal implants encapsulate the compound in a lipidsoluble membrane, e.g., silicone rubber, or a biodegradable polymer,e.g., polylactic acid.

The pharmaceutical preparations are preferably in unit dosage forms. Insuch form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containingappropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form canbe a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities ofpreparation, such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials orampoules. Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet,or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of thesein packaged form.

Other suitable pharmaceutical carriers and their formulations aredescribed in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 1995,edited by E. W. Martin, Mack Publishing Company, 19th edition, Easton,Pa. Representative pharmaceutical formulations containing a compound ofthe present invention are described below.

EXAMPLES

The following preparations and examples are given to enable thoseskilled in the art to more clearly understand and to practice thepresent invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scopeof the invention, but merely as being illustrative and representativethereof.

Unless otherwise stated, all temperatures including melting points(i.e., MP) are in degrees celsius (° C.). It should be appreciated thatthe reaction which produces the indicated and/or the desired product maynot necessarily result directly from the combination of two reagentswhich were initially added, i.e., there may be one or more intermediateswhich are produced in the mixture which ultimately leads to theformation of the indicated and/or the desired product. The followingabbreviations may be used in the Preparations and Examples.

ABBREVIATIONS

-   -   DBU 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene    -   DCM dichloromethane/methylene chloride    -   DIPEA diisopropyl ethylamine    -   DME 1,2-dimethoxyethane (glyme)    -   DMF N,N-dimethylformamide    -   DMAP 4-dimethylaminopyridine    -   dppf 1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene    -   ECDI 1-ethyl-3-(3′-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide    -   EtOAc ethyl acetate    -   EtOH ethanol    -   gc gas chromatography    -   HMPA hexamethylphosphoramide    -   HOBt N-Hydroxybenzotriazole    -   hplc high performance liquid chromatography    -   mCPBA m-chloroperbenzoic acid    -   MeCN acetonitrile    -   NMM N-methyl morpoline    -   NMP N-methylpyrrolidinone    -   TEA triethylamine    -   THF tetrahydrofuran    -   LDA lithium diisopropylamine    -   TLC thin layer chromatography

Preparation 1 (S)-2-Methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme C.

Step 1 (S)-Boc-2-amino-propanol

D-Alanine (3.5 g, 39.3 mmol) was added in small portions to a suspensionof LiAlH₄ (2.89 g, 76.26 mmol) in refluxing THF. Refluxing continued for12 hours, then the reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C., and excessreagent was quenched by careful addition of an aqueous 15% NaOH solution(3 ml) and water (9 ml). After stirring at room temperature for 10minutes, a solution of (Boc)₂O (8.31 g, 38.13 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (40 ml)was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 6 hours,cooled to room temperature, filtered through a pad of anhydrous Na₂SO₄,and the filtrate concentrated under vacuum. Purification of the residueby silica-gel column chromatography afforded (S)-Boc-2-amino-propanol asa white solid, yield: 63%. MS (M+H)=176.

Step 2 (S)-Boc-2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine

To a solution of (S)-Boc-2-amino-propanol (2.00 g, 11.4 mmol) wassuccessively added Ag₂O (5.89 g, 25.4 mmol) and Methyl iodide (16.00 g,112.7 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 2 days. Solid was filtered off and the filtrate wasconcentrated under vacuum to afford(S)-Boc-2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine as a colorless oil that was usedwithout further purification.

Step 3 (S)-2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine

(S)-Boc-2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine was dissolved in MeOH (40 mL) and3 M HCl (10 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight atroom temperature, then solvent was removed under reduced pressure andthe residue was co-evaporated with additional EtOH (20 mL) to afford(S)-2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine as light-brown oil in hydrochlorideform (1.42 g, 100%). MS (M+H)=90.

Similarly prepared was (S)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine.

Similarly prepared from L-alanine were (R)-2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylamineand (R)-2-ethoxy-1-methyl-ethylamine.

Preparation 2 (S)-1-Methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylamine

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme D.

Step 1 Methanesulfonic acid 2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-propyl ester

To a solution of (S)-Boc-2-amino-propanol (4.91 g, 0.028 mol), Et₃N (1.5equiv.) in CH₂Cl₂ at 0° C. was added methanesulfonyl chloride (1.1-1.2equiv). The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes. Water (5 ml)was added and the organic layer was separated, washed with saturatedaqueous NaHCO₃, brine, and dried with MgSO₄. Solvent was removed undervacuum to afford methanesulfonic acid 2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-propylester as a white solid, yield: 98%. MS (M+H)=254.

Step 2 (1-Methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of methanesulfonic acid 2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-propylester (23 mmol) in CH₃CN (20 mL) was added morpholine (28 mmol) andK₂CO₃ (23 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was brought to50° C. and kept at the same temperature overnight. The reaction mixturewas cooled and solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and theresidue was treated with CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) and H₂O (50 mL). The organiclayer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. Thecombined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent was removed underreduced pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography(ethyl acetate) to afford (1-methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester as viscous liquid, yield: 62%. MS (M+H)=245.

Step 3 (S)-1-Methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylamine

To a solution of (1-methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (0.30 g, 1.22 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) was added 2NHCl (5 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to roomtemperature and was stirred overnight. The solvent was removed undervacuum to give (S)-1-Methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylamine as a lightyellow solid (250 mg, 96%). MS (M+H)=145.

Similarly prepared were (S)-1-Methyl-2-thiomorpholin-4-yl-ethylamine,(S)-1-[4-(2-Amino-propyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethanone,(S)-1-(2-Amino-propyl)-piperidin-4-ol,(S)-1-(2-Amino-propyl)-piperidin-3-ol,(S)-1-Methyl-2-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethylamine,(S)-1-Methyl-2-(4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethylamine,(S)-4-(2-Amino-propyl)-piperazin-2-one,1-Methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-ethylamine,1-(2-Amino-propyl)-pyrrolidin-3-ol,(S)-2-(4-Methoxy-piperidin-1-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine,(S)-2-(3-Methoxy-piperidin-1-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine,(S)-2-(4-Methanesulfonyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine, and other2-amino-1-heterocyclyl propanes.

Preparation 3(S)-2-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme E.

Step 1 (1-Methyl-2-oxo-2-thiomorpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester

To a solution of 2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-propionic acid (3.5 g, 18.5mmol), HOBt (22.2 mmol), NMP (22.2 mmol) and EDCI (22.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂was added thiomorpholine (2.29 g, 22.2 mmol) at 0° C. The reactionmixture was stirred at 0° C. overnight, then washed with 2% aqueousNaOH, water, brine, and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed undervacuum to give (1-Methyl-2-oxo-2-thiomorpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (5.0 g) yield 98%. MS (M+H)=275.

Step 2[2-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of (1-methyl-2-oxo-2-thiomorphin-4-yl-ethyl)-carbamic acidter-butyl ester (5.0 g, 18.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ was added m-CPBA (11.4 g,46.25 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature overnight. Solids were removed by filtration and thefiltrate was washed by Na₂S₂O₃ and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent wasremoved under vacuum to give [2-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (5.6 g), yield 100%. MS (M+H)=307.

Step 3 2-Amino-1-(1,1-dioxo-llambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-propan-1-one

To a solution of [2-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (5.6 g, 18.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (70 mL) was addedtrifluoroacetic acid (5 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed towarm to room temperature and was stirred for 3 hours. After removal ofCH₂Cl₂ and excess trifluoroacetic acid under reduced pressure,2-Amino-1-(1,1-dioxo-1 lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-propan-1-one (6.0g, yield 100%) was obtained as a white solid. MS (M+H)=207.

Step 4 (S)-2-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine

A mixture of 2-Amino-1-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-propan-1-one (6.0 g, 18.2 mmol) and BH₃ (1M in THF, 110 mL) was heated to reflux for 48 h, then cooled to roomtemperature and quenched by MeOH. The volatile was removed under vacuum.2 N HCl (100 mL) was added to the residue and heated to reflux for 18 h.Solvent was removed under vacuum to give (S)-2-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-ethylamine (4.5 g) as whitesolid, yield 90%. MS (M+H)=193.

Preparation 4 1-Pyrazin-2-yl-ethylamine

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme F.

To a solution of 1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethanone (2.0 g, 15.85 mmol) andammonium acetate (19.337 g, 158.5 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was addedsodium cyanoborohydride (0.7 g, 11.1 mmol) in one portion. The reactionmixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. After removal ofmethanol, water (20 mL) was added to the residue and the resultingsolution was basified by addition of sodium hydroxide to pH=13. Theaqueous solution was extracted with dicholromethane and the combinedorganic phase was dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of the solventunder reduced pressure afforded 14.62 g of 1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethylamine,yield: 75%. MS (M+H)=124.

Similarly prepared from the appropriate heteroaryl methyl ketones orphenyl methyl ketones were: 1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamine,1-pyridin-3-yl-ethylamine, 1-pyridin-4-yl-ethylamine,1-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-ethylamine, 1-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethylamine,1-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-ethylamine, 1-thien-3-yl-ethylamine,1-furan-2-yl-ethylamine, 1-(5-methyl-furan)-2-yl-ethylamine,1-thiazol-2-yl-ethylamine, 1-thien-2-yl-ethylamine,1-pyrimidin-2-yl-ethylamine, C-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl)-methylamine,C-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl)-methylamine and 1-pyridazin-4-yl-ethylamine.

Preparation 5 2-Dimethylaminomethylene-4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoic acidethyl ester

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme G.

A mixture of ethyl isobutyrylacetate (15 mmol, 0.42 mL) andN,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (37.5 mmol, 5 mL) was heated toreflux for 16 hours, then cooled. The volatiles were removed in vacuo togive 1.60 g of 2-dimethylaminomethylene-4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoic acidethyl ester.

Preparation 6 5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme H.

Step 1 3-Iodo-5-nitro-benzoic acid

To a stirred solution of iodine (137.95 g, 0.5436 mmol) in fumingsulfuric acid (250 ml) was added m-nitrobenzoic acid (64.6 g, 0.3866mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was slowly heated to 85°C. overs 2 hours and stirred at the same temperature for another 12hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and pouredinto ice, and the aqueous solution was extracted with dichloromethane.The organic phase was separated and washed with water, 2.0 M solution ofNa₂S₂O₃ and brine, and then dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent was removed underreduced pressure to yield 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid as slight yellowsolid 111 g, yield 98%. MS (M+H)=294.

Step 2 4′-Methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid

To a stirred solution of 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid (15.48 g, 52.83mmol) and Pd(Ph₃P)₄ (1.84 g, 1.69 mmol) in 300 ml of toluene and 50 mlof ethanol was added p-tolylboronic acid (7.87 g, 58.11 mmol) and asolution of Cs₂CO₃ (18.89 g, 58.11 mmol) in 20 ml water at roomtemperature. The reaction was brought to reflux for 18 hours and thencooled to room temperature. To the solution was added 2N NaOH, and thereaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The organic phase wasseparated, and the aqueous phase was adjusted to PH<4 using 12N HCl. Theresulting solid preciptate was filtered and washed with toluene toafford 13.2 g of 4′-methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid as lightyellow solid (97.2%). MS (M+H)=258.

Step 3 4′-Methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

EDCI (16.17 g, 84.38 mmol) was added portion wise to a stirred solutionof 4′-methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid (15.49 g, 60.27 mmol),HOBt (11.44 g, 84.38 mmol) and 2-amino-1-methoxy-1-propane (7 ml, 66.31mmol) in NMP (9.29 ml, 84.38 mmol), CH₂Cl₂ (180 ml) and DMF (20 ml) at0° C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and wasstirred at the same temperature for 14 hours. The reaction mixture waswashed with 2N HCl, 2N NaOH, saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, brine, dried overanhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum to give4′-methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide as a yellow oil (16.5 g, 83.5%). MS(M+H)=329.

Step 4 5-Amino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

To a stirred solution of 4′-methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide (39 mmol) in 250 ml methanol was addedSnCl₂ (117 mmol) in one portion at room temperature. The reactionmixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours. Solvent was removed underreduced pressure and the residue was diluted with ethyl acetate andtreated with saturated NaHCO₃ solution. Solids were filtered off and thefiltrate was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, brine, dried overanhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vaccuo to give5-amino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide as a yellow oil (10.5 g, 90.3%). MS(M+H)=299.

Step 5 5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

A mixture of 5-amino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide (5.3 g, 17.8 mmol), iso-amyl nitrite(13.5 ml, 88.9 mmol) and diiodomethane (8 ml, 106.7 mmol) was stirred atroom temperature for 1 hour. The mixture was then heated to 65° C. andkept for 8 hours, LC/MS indicated that reaction completed. The reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature and the separation of iodobenzenefrom excess diiodomethane was effected by addition of the reactionmixture at room temperature to a stirred solution of piperidin-CH₃CN(V/V=90 ml/90 ml). A vigorous exothermic reaction ensued. The excessvolatile reagents were removed by rotary evaporation at 80° C. Theresidue was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with 10% hydrochloricacid, water and brine. The organic layer was separated and dried overanhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue waspurified by flash column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexanes=10:1) toyield 5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide as a yellow solid (5.2 g, 83.8%). MS(M+H)=410.

Similarly prepared, using the appropriate amine compound in step 3,were:

-   5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid    (1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-amide, MS (M+H)=444;-   5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid    (2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide, MS (M+H)=396;-   5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid    (1-methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide, MS (M+H)=465;-   5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid [2-(1,1-dioxo-1    lambda*6*-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-1-methyl-ethyl]-amide, MS (M+H)=513;    and-   5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid    (pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-amide, MS (M+H)=430.

Preparation 7 5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme I.

Step 1,4′-Methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester

To a solution of 4′-methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid (10.00 g,0.039 mol) in methanol was added SOCl₂ (5.09 g, 0.043 mol) at 0° C. Thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was thenheated to reflux for 2 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford4′-Methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (9.72 g, 92%)as light yellow solid. MS (M+H)=273.

Step 2 5-Amino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester

4′-Methyl-5-nitro-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester was reducedusing SnCl₂ using the procedure of step 4 of preparation 6 to afford5-Amino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, MS (M+H)=242.

Step 3 5-Iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester

5-Amino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester was treatedwith methylene iodide and isoamy nitrate using the procedure of step 5of preparation 6, to afford 5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid,MS (M+H)=353.

Similarly prepared was 2′-fluoro-5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester, MS (M+H)=371.

Preparation 8 3-Iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme J.

Step 1 3-Iodo-5-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester

To a solution of 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid (20.00 g, 0.068 mol) inmethanol (50 mL) was added SOCl₂ (5.45 mL, 0.075 mol) at 0° C. Thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was thenheated to reflux for 2 hours. The reaction was cooled and solvent wasremoved in vacuo to afford 3-Iodo-5-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester aslight yellow solid (20.67 g, 99%). MS (M+H)=309.

Step 2 3-Nitro-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester

A solution of 3-iodo-5-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester (10 g, 0.0326mol), bis(pinacolato)diboron (9.1 g, 0.0358 mol), KOAc (9.5 9 g, 0.098mol) and PdCl₂(dppf) (798 mg, 0.98 mmol) in DMSO (40 ml) was heated to80° C. for 4 hours under N₂ atmosphere. The mixture was cooled to roomtemperature and extracted with Et₂O. The combined organic phases werewashed with brine and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was evaporatedunder reduced pressure and the resulting crude3-nitro-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-benzoic acidmethyl ester was used without purification in the next step.

Step 3 3-(5-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester

To a solution of 2-bromo-5-methylpyridine (1.24 g, 7 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄(226 mg, 0.2 mmol) and K₃PO₄ (2.76 g, 13 mmol) in DME/H₂O (5 ml/1 ml)was added3-nitro-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-benzoic acidmethyl ester (2.00 g, 6.5 mmol) under N₂ atmosphere. The mixture wassubjected to microwave radiation at 130° C. for 0.5 hours. The reactionmixture was cooled and solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure.The residue was purified by flash-chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester as a whitesolid (700 mg, 40%).

Step 4 3-Amino-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester

To a solution of 3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-nitro-benzoic acid methylester (4 g, 14.7 mmol) in methanol/ethyl acetate was added SnCl₂ (11.15g, 58.8 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was refluxed for3 hours and then cooled. Solvent was removed under reduced pressure andthe residue was dissolved in H₂O and basified by addition of Na₂CO₃ topH=9. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, and the organic phase waswashed with water, brine, and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removedunder reduced pressure to give 3-mmino-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester (3.2 g, 90%) as white solid.

Step 5 3-Iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester

5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester was treated withmethylene iodide and isoamy nitrate using the procedure of step 5 ofpreparation 6, to afford 3-iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acidmethyl ester, MS (M+H)=353.

Step 6 3-Iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid

A solution of LiOH hydrate (82 mg, 1.94 mmol) in H₂O (7 mL) was addeddropwise to a suspension of 3-iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester (526 mg, 1.49 mmol) in THF (4 mL) at 0° C. Thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirreduntil the reaction solution turned into clear. Solvent was removed undervacuum and the resulting aqueous solution was acidified by 10% HCl topH=6-7. The resulting precipitate was collected and dried to afford3-iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid (470 mg, 93%). MS(M+H)=340.

Preparation 9 3-Bromo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methylester

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme K.

Step 1 3-Bromo-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester

3-Bromo-5-iodo-benzoic acid methyl ester (14.16 g, 41.53 mmol),bis(pinacolato)-diborane (11.60 g, 45.7 mmol), PdCl₂(dppf)₂ (1.02 g,1.256 mmol) and potassium acetate (12.22 g, 124.6 mmol) were added to 50mL of DMSO, and the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 20 hours,then cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted withwater and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic extractswere dried over Mg SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reducedpressure to give 18.5 g of3-bromo-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-benzoic acidmethyl ester, which was used directly in the next step without furtherpurification.

Step 2 3-Bromo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 2-bromo-5-methyl-pyridine (10.27 g, 59.68 mmol) andpalladium tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) (1.88 g, 1.65 mmol) in 300 mL DMEwas stirred at 60° C. under nitrogen for 30 minutes. To this mixture wasadded 3-bromo-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester (18.5 g, 54.25 mmol), followed by K₃PO₄ 23.03 g, 108.5mmol) in 40 mL water. The mixture was refluxed for eight hours, thencooled to room temperature and partitioned between water and EtOAc. Thecombined organic layers were washed with water, dried over MgSO₄,filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue waspurified via flash chromatography (5:1 EtOAc/hexanes) to give 8.5 g of3-bromo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester, MS(M+H)=306.

Similarly prepared were:

-   3-Bromo-5-(2-chloro-5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl    ester, MS (M+H)=341;-   3-Bromo-5-(2-fluoro-5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl    ester, MS (M+H)=325; and-   3-Bromo-5-(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester, MS    (M+H)=327.

Preparation 10 1-Isopropyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme L.

Step 1 1-Isopropyl-1H-pyrazole

To a suspension of NaH (14 g, 0.35 mol 60% in mineral oil) in DMF (120mL) was added dropwise of a solution of pyrazole (20 g, 0.29 mol) in DMF(30 mL) at 0° C. After addition, the suspension was stirred for 1 hourat room temperature. Isopropyl bromide (53.4 g, 0.44 mol) was addeddropwise, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2hours. Water was added to quench the reaction and the mixture wasextracted with diethyl ether. The combined ether layers were washed withwater, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentratedunder reduced pressure. The residue was distilled under vacuum to afford1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazole as a colorless liquid (15.0 g, 46.4%).

Step 2 1-Isopropyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid

To a solution of isopropylpyrazole (5.0 g, 45.5 mmol) in THF (100 mL)was added n-butyl lithium (31 mL, 50 mmol, 1.6 M in hexane) at −78° C.The mixture was kept stirring at the same temperature for 30 min. andwas allowed to warm to 0° C. and stirred for another 30 min. Beforeadding tri-n-butyl borate (12.6 g, 55 mmol) as one portion, the reactionmixture was cooled to −78° C. After addition, the mixture was stirred at−78° C. for 1 h. and was allowed to warm to r.t. slowly and stirredovernight. The reaction mixture was quenched by saturated ammoniumchloride. The organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase wasextracted with ethyl ether (50 mL×2). The combined organic phase wasdried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Solvent was removed to afford1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid as a viscous oil (5.7 g).

Similarly prepared, using the appropriate alkyl bromides, were:

-   1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid;-   1-ethyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid;-   1-n-propyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid;-   1-isobutyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid;-   1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid;-   1-cyclobutyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid; and-   1-cyclpropylmethyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid.

Example 1 4′-Methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme M.

A mixture solution of 5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide (85.9 mg, 0.2100 mmol),1-methyl-pyrazol-4-boronic acid (31.28 mg, 0.2300 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (0.23mL, 1 N, 0.23 mmol) and Pd(Ph₃P)₄ (17.0 mg, 0.0146 mmol) in toluene (1.5mL) and THF (1.5 mL) was stirred under microwave heating for 30 minutesat 130° C. After reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, thesolvent was removed under vacuum and the residue was purified bypreparative HPLC to afford4′-methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide as white solid (42.68 mg, 56%). MS(M+H)=364.

Similarly prepared was4′-methyl-5-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide, MS (M+H)=350.

Additional compounds prepared by the above procedure are shown in Table1.

Example 25-Isopropyl-1-[5-(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme N.

To 2-dimethylaminomethylene-4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoic acid ethyl ester(1.60 g, 7.5 mmol) was added 5-hydrazino-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide (7.5 mmol, 2.62 g), followed byEtOH (25 mL). The mixture was heated to 60° C. and kept at thattemperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and EtOH wasremoved in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash columnchromatography, eluting with n-hexanes:EtOAc=4:1 to give 2.95 g of5-isopropyl-1-[5-(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester as white solid (85%). MS (M+H)=464.

Additional compounds prepared by the above procedure are shown in Table1.

Example 32′-Fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme O.

Step 12′-Fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester

To a microwave vessel was added2′-fluoro-5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1.91g, 5.4 mmol), 2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazole-3-boronic acid (1.08 g, 7.02mmol), KOAc (1.59 g, 16.2 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.187 g, 0.16 mmol),dimethylglycol (15 mL) and water (3 mL). The mixture was flushed with N₂before submitting to microwave heating at 130° C. for 1 hour. Aftercooling down to room temperature, the reaction mixture was extractedwith EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with water, driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reducedpressure. The residue was purified by flash column to afford2′-fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a viscous oil (1.0 g, 55.2%).

Step 22′-Fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid

A solution of LiOH hydrate (82 mg, 1.94 mmol) in H₂O (7 mL) was addeddropwise to a solution of2′-fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester (524 mg, 1.49 mmol) in THF (4 mL) at 0° C. Thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirreduntil the reaction solution turned into clear. Solvent was removed undervacuum and the resulting aqueous solution was acidified by 10% HCl topH=6-7. The resulting precipitate was collected and dried to afford2′-fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (468 mg, 93%).

Step 32′-Fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

EDCI (54.0 mg, 0.282 mmol) was added in one portion to a solution of2′-fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (77.4 mg, 0.229 mmol), HOBt (40.0 mg, 0.296 mmol) and NMP (101.5mg, 1.000 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) at 0° C. After the reaction stirred atthe same temperature for 1 hour, 2-amino-propan-1-ol (54 mg, 0.72 mmol)was added. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and wasstirred overnight. Solvent was removed under reduced pressure and theresidue was purified by column chromatography to afford2′-Fluoro-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylicacid (2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide as white solid (54 mg, 46%). MS(M+H)=396.

Similarly prepared, starting with3-iodo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester instead of2′-fluoro-5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, wasN-(2-Hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-3-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,MS (M+H)=379.

Similarly prepared, starting with3-iodo-5-(3-chloro-5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl esterinstead of 2′-fluoro-5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid methylester, and replacing 2-amino-propan-1-ol in step 3 with1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethylamine, was3-(3-chloro-5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide,MS (M+H)=461.

Additional compounds made using the above procedure are shown in Table1.

Example 43-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme P.

Step 13-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester

3-Bromo-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester (1.0 g, 3.27mmol) and palladium tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) (0.189 g, 0.164 mmol)were added to 25 mL DME, and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 10minutes. 1-Cyclopropylmethyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid (0.65 g, 3.92mmol) was added, followed by a solution of K₃PO₄ (1.39 g, 6.54 mmol) in5 mL water. The mixture was refluxed for six hours, then cooled to roomtemperature and partitioned between water and EtOAc. The combinedorganic layers were washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified via flashchromatography (3:1 EtOAc/hexanes) to give 1.14 g of3-(2-cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester, MS (M+H)=348.

Step 23-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid

3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid methyl ester (1.14 g, 3.27 mmol was dissolved in 20 mL MeOH, and 3Naqueous NaOH (3 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for three hours, then concentrated under reduced pressure.The residue was acidified to pH 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The combinedorganic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated underreduced pressure to give 0.9 g of3-(2-cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid, MS (M+H)=334.

Step 33-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide

3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoicacid (0.120 g, 0.36 mmol), C-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl)-methylamine (0.044g, 0.36 mmol), EDCI (0.103 g, 0.54 mmol), HOBt (0.073 g, 0.54 mmol), andNMM (0.183 g, 1.80 mmol) were added to 7 mL of dichloromethane. Thereaction mixture was stirred for 48 hours at room temperature, thenconcentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified via flashchromatography (5:1 EtOAc/hexanes) to give 0.14 g of3-(2-cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,MS (M+H)=439.

Similarly prepared, using the appropriate amines in step 3, were:

-   3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-N-(1-pyrazin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=439;-   3-(2-Cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N—((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=391; and-   N-Cyclopropyl-3-(2-cyclopropylmethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=373.

Similarly prepared, using the appropriate N-substituted pyrazole boronicacid in step 1, were:

-   N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-3-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-propyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=427;-   N-(5-Methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-3-(2-methyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=399;-   3-(2-Isopropyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=427-   3-(2-Isobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=441;-   3-(2-Cyclobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=439; and-   3-(2-tert-Butyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(5-methyl-pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,    MS (M+H)=441.

Additional compounds made using the above procedure are shown in Table1.

Example 5 4′-Methyl-5-pyrazol-1-yl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

The synthetic procedure used in this preparation is outlined below inScheme Q.

To a stirred solution of 5-iodo-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide (0.15 g, 0.367 mmol) in 1 ml DMF wasadded pyrazole (0.062 g, 0.917 mmol), CuI (0.03667 mmol),1,10-phenanthroline (0.0734 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (0.734 mmol). The mixturewas subjected to microwave irradiation at 150° C. for 45 minutes. Thereaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with water andbrine, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated underreduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give4′-Methyl-5-pyrazol-1-yl-biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide, MS (M+H)=350.

Example 6 Formulations

Pharmaceutical preparations for delivery by various routes areformulated as shown in the following Tables. “Active ingredient” or“Active compound” as used in the Tables means one or more of theCompounds of Formula I.

Composition for Oral Administration

Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 20.0% Lactose 79.5% Magnesiumstearate 0.5%

The ingredients are mixed and dispensed into capsules containing about100 mg each; one capsule would approximate a total daily dosage.

Composition for Oral Administration

Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 20.0% Magnesium stearate 0.5%Crosscarmellose sodium 2.0% Lactose 76.5% PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidine)1.0%

The ingredients are combined and granulated using a solvent such asmethanol. The formulation is then dried and formed into tablets(containing about 20 mg of active compound) with an appropriate tabletmachine.

Composition for Oral Administration

Ingredient Amount Active compound 1.0 g Fumaric acid 0.5 g Sodiumchloride 2.0 g Methyl paraben 0.15 g Propyl paraben 0.05 g Granulatedsugar 25.5 g Sorbitol (70% solution) 12.85 g Veegum K (Vanderbilt Co.)1.0 g Flavoring 0.035 ml Colorings 0.5 mg Distilled water q.s. to 100 ml

The ingredients are mixed to form a suspension for oral administration.

Parenteral Formulation

Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 0.25 g Sodium Chloride qs to makeisotonic Water for injection 100 ml

The active ingredient is dissolved in a portion of the water forinjection. A sufficient quantity of sodium chloride is then added withstirring to make the solution isotonic. The solution is made up toweight with the remainder of the water for injection, filtered through a0.2 micron membrane filter and packaged under sterile conditions.

Suppository Formulation

Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 1.0% Polyethylene glycol 100074.5% Polyethylene glycol 4000 24.5%

The ingredients are melted together and mixed on a steam bath, andpoured into molds containing 2.5 g total weight.

Topical Formulation

Ingredients Grams Active compound 0.2-2 Span 60 2 Tween 60 2 Mineral oil5 Petrolatum 10 Methyl paraben 0.15 Propyl paraben 0.05 BHA (butylatedhydroxy anisole) 0.01 Water q.s. 100

All of the ingredients, except water, are combined and heated to about60° C. with stirring. A sufficient quantity of water at about 60° C. isthen added with vigorous stirring to emulsify the ingredients, and waterthen added q.s. about 100 g.

Nasal Spray Formulations

Several aqueous suspensions containing from about 0.025-0.5 percentactive compound are prepared as nasal spray formulations. Theformulations optionally contain inactive ingredients such as, forexample, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,dextrose, and the like. Hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH. Thenasal spray formulations may be delivered via a nasal spray metered pumptypically delivering about 50-100 microliters of formulation peractuation. A typical dosing schedule is 2-4 sprays every 4-12 hours.

Example 7 P2X₃/P2X_(2/3) FLIPR (Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader) Assay

CHO—K1 cells were transfected with cloned rat P2X₃ or human P2X_(2/3)receptor subunits and passaged in flasks. 18-24 hours before the FLIPRexperiment, cells were released from their flasks, centrifuged, andresuspended in nutrient medium at 2.5×10⁵ cells/ml. The cells werealiquoted into black-walled 96-well plates at a density of 50,000cells/well and incubated overnight in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. On the day of theexperiment, cells were washed in FLIPR buffer (calcium- andmagnesium-free Hank's balanced salt solution, 10 mM HEPES, 2 mM CaCl₂,2.5 mM probenecid; FB). Each well received 100 μl FB and 100 μl of thefluorescent dye Fluo-3 AM [2 μM final conc.]. After a 1 hour dye loadingincubation at 37° C., the cells were washed 4 times with FB, and a final75 μl/well FB was left in each well.

Test compounds (dissolved in DMSO at 10 mM and serially diluted with FB)or vehicle were added to each well (25 μl of a 4× solution) and allowedto equilibrate for 20 minutes at room temperature. The plates were thenplaced in the FLIPR and a baseline fluorescence measurement (excitationat 488 nm and emission at 510-570 nm) was obtained for 10 seconds beforea 100 μl/well agonist or vehicle addition. The agonist was a 2× solutionof α,β-meATP producing a final concentration of 1 μM (P2X₃) or 5 μM(P2X_(2/3)). Fluorescence was measured for an additional 2 minutes at 1second intervals after agonist addition. A final addition of ionomycin(5 μM, final concentration) was made to each well of the FLIPR testplate to establish cell viability and maximum fluorescence of dye-boundcytosolic calcium. Peak fluorescence in response to the addition ofα,β-meATP (in the absence and presence of test compounds) was measuredand inhibition curves generated using nonlinear regression. PPADS, astandard P2X antagonist, was used as a positive control.

Using the above procedure, compounds of the invention exhibited activityfor the P2X₃ receptor. The compound3-(2-cyclobutyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-N—((S)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamide,for example, exhibited a plC₅₀ of approximately 8.67 for the P2X₃receptor, and the compound3-(5-isobutyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-ylmethyl)-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzamideshowed a pKi of approximately 7.67 for the P2X_(2/3) receptor, using theabove assay.

Example 8 In vivo Assay for Asthma and Lung Function

BALb/cJ mice are immunized with a standard immunization protocol.Briefly, mice (N=8/group) are immunized i.p. with ovalbumin (OVA; 10 μg)in alum on days 0 and 14. Mice are then challenged with aerosolized OVA(5%) on day 21 and 22. Animals receive vehicle (p.o.) or a compound ofthe invention (100 mg/kg p.o.) all starting on day 20.

Lung function is evaluated on day 23 using the Buxco system to measurePenH in response to an aerosol methacholine challenge. Mice are theneuthanized and plasma samples collected at the end of the study.

Example 9 Volume Induced Bladder Contraction Assay

Female Sprague-Dawley rats (200-300 g) were anesthetized with urethane(1.5 g/kg, sc). The animals were tracheotomized, and a carotid arteryand femoral vein were cannulated for blood pressure measurement and drugadministration, respectively. A laparotomy was performed and the ureterswere ligated and transected proximal to the ligation. The externalurethral meatus was ligated with silk suture and the urinary bladder wascannulated via the dome for saline infusion and bladder pressuremeasurement.

Following a 15-30 minute stabilization period the bladder was infusedwith room temperature saline at 100 μl/min until continuousvolume-induced bladder contractions (VIBCs) were observed. The infusionrate was then lowered to 3-5 μl/min for 30 minutes before the bladderwas drained and allowed to rest for 30 minutes. All subsequent infusionswere performed as indicated except the lower infusion rate wasmaintained for only 15 minutes instead of 30 minutes. Bladder fillingand draining cycles were repeated until the threshold volumes (TV; thevolume needed to trigger the first micturition bladder contraction)varied by less than 10% for two consecutive baselines and contractionfrequency was within 2 contractions for a 10 minute period following theslower infusion rate. Once reproducible TVs and VIBCs were establishedthe bladder was drained and the animal was dosed with drug or vehicle(0.5 ml/kg, i.v.) 3 minutes prior to the start of the next scheduledinfusion.

Example 10 Formalin Pain Assay

Male Sprague Dawley rats (180-220 g) are placed in individual Plexiglascylinders and allowed to acclimate to the testing environment for 30min. Vehicle, drug or positive control (morphine 2 mg/kg) isadministered subcutaneously at 5 ml/kg. 15 min post dosing, formalin (5%in 50 μl) is injected into plantar surface of the right hind paw using a26-gauge needle. Rats are immediately put back to the observationchamber. Mirrors placed around the chamber allow unhindered observationof the formalin-injected paw. The duration of nociphensive behavior ofeach animal is recorded by a blinded observer using an automatedbehavioral timer. Hindpaw licking and shaking/lifting are recordedseparately in 5 min bin, for a total of 60 min. The sum of time spentlicking or shaking in seconds from time 0 to 5 min is considered theearly phase, whereas the late phase is taken as the sum of seconds spentlicking or shaking from 15 to 40 min. A plasma sample is collected.

Example 11 Colon Pain Assay

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-425 g; Harlan, Indianapolis, Ind.)are housed 1-2 per cage in an animal care facility. Rats are deeplyanesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg) administeredintraperitoneally. Electrodes are placed and secured into the externaloblique musculature for electromyographic (EMG) recording. Electrodeleads are tunneled subcutaneously and exteriorized at the nape of theneck for future access. After surgery, rats are housed separately andallowed to recuperate for 4-5 days prior to testing.

The descending colon and rectum are distended by pressure-controlledinflation of a 7-8 cm-long flexible latex balloon tied around a flexibletube. The balloon is lubricated, inserted into the colon via the anus,and anchored by taping the balloon catheter to the base of the tail.Colorectal distension (CRD) is achieved by opening a solenoid gate to aconstant pressure air reservoir. Intracolonic pressure is controlled andcontinuously monitored by a pressure control device. Response isquantified as the visceromotor response (VMR), a contraction of theabdominal and hindlimb musculature. EMG activity produced by contractionof the external oblique musculature is quantified using Spike2 software(Cambridge Electronic Design). Each distension trial lasts 60 sec, andEMG activity is quantified for 20 sec before distension (baseline),during 20 sec distension, and 20 sec after distention. The increase intotal number of recorded counts during distension above baseline isdefined as the response. Stable baseline responses to CRD (10, 20, 40and 80 mmHg, 20 seconds, 4 minutes apart) are obtained in conscious,unsedated rats before any treatment.

Compounds are evaluated for effects on responses to colon distensioninitially in a model of acute visceral nociception and a model of colonhypersensitivity produced by intracolonic treatment with zymosan (1 mL,25 mg/mL) instilled into the colon with a gavage needle inserted to adepth of about 6 cm. Experimental groups will consist of 8 rats each.

Acute visceral nociception: For testing effects of drug on acutevisceral nociception, 1 of 3 doses of drug, vehicle or positive control(morphine, 2.5 mg/kg) are administered after baseline responses areestablished; responses to distension are followed over the next 60-90minutes.

Visceral hypersensitivity: For testing effects of drug or vehicle afterintracolonic treatment with zymosan, intracolonic treatment is givenafter baseline responses are established. Prior to drug testing at 4hours, responses to distension are assessed to establish the presence ofhypersensitivity. In zymosan-treated rats, administration of 1 of 3doses of drug, vehicle or positive control (morphine, 2.5 mg/kg) aregiven 4 hours after zymosan treatment and responses to distensionfollowed over the next 60-90 minutes.

Example 12 Cold Allodynia in Rats with a Chronic Constriction Injury ofthe Sciatic Nerve

The effects of compounds of this invention on cold allodynia aredetermined using the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model ofneuropathic pain in rats, where cold allodynia is measured in acold-water bath with a metal-plate floor and water at a depth of 1.5-2.0cm and a temperature of 3-4° C. (Gogas, K. R. et al., Analgesia, 1997,3, 1-8).

Specifically, CCI, rats are anesthetized; the trifurcation of thesciatic nerve is located and 4 ligatures (4-0, or 5-0 chromic gut) areplaced circumferentially around the sciatic nerve proximal to thetrifurcation. The rats are then allowed to recover from the surgery. Ondays 4-7 after surgery, the rats are initially assessed for cold-inducedallodynia by individually placing the animals in the cold-water bath andrecording the total lifts of the injured paw during a 1-min period oftime: The injured paw is lifted out of the water. Paw lifts associatedwith locomotion or body repositioning are not recorded. Rats thatdisplayed 5 lifts per min or more on day 4-7 following surgery areconsidered to exhibit cold allodynia and are used in subsequent studies.In the acute studies, vehicle, reference compound or compounds of thisinvention are administered subcutaneously (s.c.) 30 min before testing.The effects of repeated administration of the compounds of thisinvention on cold allodynia are determined 14, 20 or 38 h following thelast oral dose of the following regimen: oral (p.o.) administration ofvehicle, reference or a compound of this invention at −12 h intervals(BID) for 7 days.

Example 13 Cancer Bone Pain in C3H/HeJ Mice

The effects of compounds of this invention on bone pain are determinedbetween Day 7 to Day 18 following intramedullary injection of 2472sarcoma cells into the distal femur of C3H/HeJ mice.

Specifically, NCTC 2472 tumor cells (American Type Culture Collection,ATCC), previously shown to form lytic lesions in bone afterintramedullary injection, are grown and maintained according to ATCCrecommendations. Approximately 10⁵ cells are injected directly into themedullary cavity of the distal femur in anesthetized C3H/HeJ mice.Beginning on about Day 7, the mice are assessed for spontaneousnocifensive behaviors (flinching & guarding), palpation-evokednocifensive behaviors (flinching & guarding), forced ambultory guardingand limb use. The effects of compounds of this invention are determinedfollowing a single acute (s.c.) administration on Day 7-Day 15. Inaddition, the effects of repeated (BID) administration of compounds ofthis invention from Day 7-Day 15 are determined within 1 hour of thefirst dose on Days 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15.

While the present invention has been described with reference to thespecific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processstep or steps, to the objective spirit and scope of the presentinvention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A compound of formula I:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: R¹ is optionallysubstituted pyrazol; R² is optionally substituted phenyl, optionallysubstituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted pyridazinyl oroptionally substituted thiophenyl; R³ is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl;hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; or cyano; R⁴ is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl; orhetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; or R³ and R⁴ together with the atom to which they areattached may form a C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring; R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyl;hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; halo-C₁₋₆alkyl; N—C₁₋₆alkylamino;N,N-di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)-amino; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; aryl; heteroaryl;heterocyclyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;—(CR^(a)R^(b))_(m)—C(O)—R⁸ wherein: m is 0 or 1; R^(a) and R^(b) eachindependently is: hydrogen; or C₁₋₆alkyl; and R⁸ is: hydrogen;C₁₋₆alkyl; hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; aryl; heteroaryl;heterocyclyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl;heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl; heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy;aryloxy; heteroaryloxy; heterocyclyloxy; C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;aryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; heteroaryloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; heterocyclyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;or —NR⁹R¹⁰, wherein:  R⁹ is:  hydrogen; or  C₁₋₆alkyl; and  R¹⁰ is: hydrogen;  C₁₋₆alkyl;  hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl;  C₃₋₇cycloalkyl;  aryl; heteroaryl;  heterocyclyl;  C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;  aryl-C₁₋₆alkyl; heteroaryl-C₁₋₆alkyl; or  heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ togetherwith the atom to which they are attached may form a C₃₋₆ carbocyclicring that is optionally substituted with hydroxy; or R⁴ and R⁵ togetherwith the atom to which they are attached may form a C₄₋₆ heterocyclicring containing one or two heteroatoms each independently selected fromO, N and S; or R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they areattached may form a six-membered heteroaryl containing one or twonitrogen atoms, and which is optionally substituted with halo, amino orC₁₋₆alkyl; and R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently is: hydrogen C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkyloxy; halo; C₁₋₆haloalkyl; or cyano.
 25. The compound of claim24, wherein R¹ is pyrazolyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl,halo-C₁₋₆alkyl, hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, phenyl, heterocyclyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆alkyl or cyano.
 26. The compound ofclaim 24, wherein R¹ is pyrazolyl optionally substituted once withC₁₋₆alkyl or halo-C₁₋₆alkyl.
 27. The compound of claim 24, wherein R² isphenyl substituted at the 4-position with methyl or halo and optionallysubstituted at the 2- and 6-positions with halo.
 28. The compound ofclaim 24, wherein R² is 4-methyl-phenyl, 2-fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl,2-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl, 4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl, 2,4-dichloro-phenyl,2,4-difluoro-phenyl, or 2-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl.
 29. The compound ofclaim 24, wherein R² is pyridin 2-yl substituted with methyl or halo atthe 5-position and optionally substituted with halo at the 3-position.30. The compound of claim 24, wherein R² is 5-methyl-pyridin-2-yl,5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl,5-methyl-3-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl, 5-methyl-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl,3,5-difluoro-pyridin-2-yl or 3,5-dichloro-ppyridin-2-yl.
 31. Thecompound of claim 24, wherein R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen.
 32. Thecompound of claim 24, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 33. The compound of claim24, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.
 34. The compound of claim 24, wherein R⁴ ismethyl.
 35. The compound of claim 24, wherein R⁴ and R⁵ together withthe atom to which they are attached form a C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring that isoptionally substituted with hydroxy.
 36. The compound of claim 24,wherein R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylsulfanyl-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl-C₁₋₆alkyl;amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; N—C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl;N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl-amino-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₃₋₇cycloalkyl; optionally substitutedphenyl; heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.
 37. The compound of claim24, wherein R⁵ is: C₁₋₆alkyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁₋₆alkyl;heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkyl.
 38. The compound of claim 24,wherein R⁵ is: hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, pyrazin-2-yl,5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl, 6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl, or1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl.
 39. The compound of claim 24,wherein said compound is of formula IIa or IIb:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is C; R¹¹ andR¹² each independently is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; halo;halo-C₁₋₆alkyl; halo-C₁₋₆alkoxy; hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; orcyano; and R¹ and R⁵ are as recited in claim 24
 40. The compound ofclaim 24, wherein said compound is of formula III:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is C; R¹¹ andR¹² each independently is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; halo;halo-C₁₋₆alkyl; halo-C₁₋₆alkoxy; hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; orcyano; and R¹ and R⁵ are as recited in claim 24
 41. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and(b) a compound of claim
 24. 42. A method for treating a pain conditionselected from inflammatory pain, surgical pain, visceral pain, dentalpain, premenstrual pain, central pain, pain due to burns, migraine orcluster headaches, nerve injury, neuritis, neuralgias, poisoning,ischemic injury, interstitial cystitis, cancer pain, viral, parasitic orbacterial infection, post-traumatic injury, or pain associated withirritable bowel syndrome, said method comprising administering to asubject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of claim 24.42. A method for treating a respiratory disorder selected from chronicobstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), asthma, and bronchospasm, saidmethod comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of a compound of claim
 24. 43. A compound of formula I:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: R¹ is optionallysubstituted pyrazole; R² is optionally substituted phenyl, optionallysubstituted pyrimidinyl, optionally substituted pyridazinyl oroptionally substituted thiophenyl; R³ is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl;hetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; or cyano; R⁴ is: hydrogen; C₁₋₆alkyl; orhetero-C₁₋₆alkyl; or R³ and R⁴ together with the atom to which they areattached may form a C₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring; R⁵ is: hydroxymethyl,methoxymethyl, pyrazin-2-yl, 5-methyl-pyrazin-2-yl,6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl, or 1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl orR⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached may form aC₃₋₆ carbocyclic ring that is optionally substituted with hydroxy; or R⁴and R⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached may form a C₄₋₆heterocyclic ring containing one or two heteroatoms each independentlyselected from O, N and S; or R³, R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atom towhich they are attached may form a six-membered heteroaryl containingone or two nitrogen atoms, and which is optionally substituted withhalo, amino or C₁₋₆alkyl; and R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently is:hydrogen C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; halo; C₁₋₆haloalkyl; or cyano.